On Election Commission Appointments, Supreme Court’s Big Order

In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court today ordered a panel comprising the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India for the top appointments in Election Commission. 

The 5-0 unanimous verdict said that the Chief Election Commissioner and election commissioners will be done by the President on the advise of the three-member committee.

The Constitution bench headed by Justice KM Joseph said this norm will continue till Parliament makes a law for these appointments.

The court also said that in the absence of a Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, the leader of the single largest opposition party will be in the committee.

The bench delivered its verdict on a batch of pleas seeking a collegium-like system for the appointment of election commissioners and the Chief Election Commissioner.