{"id":117645,"date":"2026-08-06T18:05:17","date_gmt":"2026-08-06T12:35:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=117645"},"modified":"2026-08-06T18:05:17","modified_gmt":"2026-08-06T12:35:17","slug":"chief-election-commissioner-and-other-election-commissioners-act-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/chief-election-commissioner-and-other-election-commissioners-act-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> provides a statutory framework for the appointment, qualifications, conditions of service, term of office and transaction of business of the Election Commission of India (ECI). The Act gives legislative effect to Article 324(2) of the Constitution, which empowers Parliament to regulate the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners (ECs).<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023 Background<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Constitution established the <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/election-commission-of-india-eci\/\" target=\"_blank\">Election Commission of India<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as an independent constitutional body but left the appointment procedure of its members to be determined by Parliament.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Article 324(1) <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">provides for an Election Commission consisting of the <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/chief-election-commissioner\/\" target=\"_blank\">Chief Election Commissioner<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and such number of Election Commissioners as the <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/president-of-india\/\" target=\"_blank\">President<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> may determine from time to time.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Article 324(2)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> states that the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners shall be appointed by the President, subject to any law made by Parliament.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For several decades, Parliament did not enact a specific law governing appointments, and the President appointed the CEC and ECs on the advice of the Union Government.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>The Election Commission (Conditions of Service of Election Commissioners and Transaction of Business) Act, 1991 <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">regulated the service conditions, salaries and transaction of business of the Election Commission but did not provide a statutory appointment mechanism.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By convention, senior civil servants were appointed as Election Commissioners, and the senior-most Election Commissioner generally succeeded as the Chief Election Commissioner.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The absence of a statutory appointment process led to concerns regarding transparency, institutional independence and public confidence in the neutrality of the Election Commission.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Supreme Court Intervention: Anoop Baranwal v. Union of India (2023)<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The issue of appointments to the Election Commission came before the Supreme Court in <\/span><b>Anoop Baranwal v. Union of India (2023)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Supreme Court held that an independent Election Commission is essential for ensuring free and fair elections and preserving democracy.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Court observed that the Constitution envisages an Election Commission insulated from excessive executive influence.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Referring to the Constituent Assembly Debates, the Court emphasised the need to protect the institutional independence of the Election Commission.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since Parliament had not enacted a law under Article 324(2), the Court directed that appointments should temporarily be made by a committee consisting of:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Prime Minister,<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha (or leader of the largest opposition party), and<\/b><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/chief-justice-of-india-cji\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>Chief Justice of India<\/b><\/a><b>.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Court clarified that this arrangement would operate only until Parliament enacted an appropriate law under <\/span><b>Article 324(2).<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023 Key Provisions<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Parliament enacted the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023 to establish a statutory framework governing the appointment, qualifications, conditions of service, term of office and functioning of the Election Commission of India. Its provisions are as follows:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Appointment Process<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023 introduces a <\/span><b>two-stage appointment mechanism<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> involving a Search Committee and a Selection Committee. The Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners are appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal on the recommendation of the Selection Committee.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Search Committee: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Search Committee prepares a panel of suitable candidates for consideration by the Selection Committee.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is headed by the Minister of Law and Justice.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It consists of two other members not below the rank of Secretary to the Government of India.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It prepares a panel of five suitable persons for appointment as the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The panel is submitted to the Selection Committee for consideration.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Selection Committee: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Selection Committee recommends names to the President for appointment.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Selection Committee consists of:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prime Minister \u2014 Chairperson<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha (or leader of the single largest opposition party where no LoP is recognised) \u2014 Member<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister \u2014 Member<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Selection Committee regulates its own procedure in a transparent manner.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It may also consider persons other than those included in the Search Committee\u2019s panel.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Appointment is not invalid merely because of a vacancy or defect in the constitution of the Selection Committee.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Based on its recommendation, the President formally appoints the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Qualifications of Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023 prescribes following qualifications:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners must be holding or have held a post equivalent to the rank of Secretary to the Government of India.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They must be persons of integrity.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They must possess knowledge of and experience in the management and conduct of elections.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Term of Office and Service Conditions<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023 lays down uniform provisions regarding tenure, salary and service conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners hold office for <\/span><b>six years<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from the date they assume office <\/span><b>or until attaining the age of 65 years<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, whichever is earlier.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They are <\/span><b>not eligible for reappointment.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Where an Election Commissioner is appointed as the Chief Election Commissioner, the combined tenure as EC and CEC <\/span><b>cannot exceed six years.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They receive a <\/span><b>salary equal to that of a Judge of the Supreme Court.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They are <\/span><b>entitled to Dearness Allowance <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">admissible to a Supreme Court Judge.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They are <\/span><b>entitled to encashment of 50% of earned leave<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at the completion of tenure.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They may continue to receive pension and retirement benefits from previous government service in accordance with the provisions of the Act.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They are entitled to subscribe to the <\/span><b>General Provident Fund (GPF).<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other service conditions relating to travelling allowance, medical facilities, leave travel concession, conveyance and related matters are determined by the President through rules framed under the Act.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Removal of Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023 retains the constitutional safeguards regarding removal from office.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Chief Election Commissioner can be <\/span><b>removed only in the same manner and on the same grounds as a Judge of the Supreme Court.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other Election Commissioners <\/span><b>can be removed only on the recommendation of the Chief Election Commissioner.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners may <\/span><b>resign by submitting a written resignation addressed to the President.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Protection of Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023 provides legal protection for official actions performed while discharging constitutional duties.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Section 16 <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">provides that no court shall entertain or continue civil or criminal proceedings against a person who is or was the Chief Election Commissioner or an Election Commissioner for acts, words or actions done in the discharge or purported discharge of official duties or functions.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Transaction of Business of the Election Commission<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023 lays down the procedure for decision-making within the Election Commission.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Election Commission may, by unanimous decision, regulate its own procedure and allocate business among the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As far as possible, decisions should be taken unanimously.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Where unanimity is not possible, matters are decided according to the opinion of the majority.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023 Major Changes<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023 made following changes:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It gives legislative effect to Article 324(2) of the Constitution by providing a statutory mechanism for appointing the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It replaces the earlier convention-based appointment process, under which appointments were made by the President on the advice of the Union Government without any statutory procedure.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It introduces a two-stage appointment process involving a Search Committee and a Selection Committee.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It replaces the Supreme Court\u2019s interim appointment mechanism laid down in Anoop Baranwal v. Union of India (2023) with a parliamentary law.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It removes the Chief Justice of India from the Selection Committee and replaces the position with a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It prescribes statutory qualifications, tenure, salary and service conditions for the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It provides statutory protection for official acts performed by the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners while discharging their duties.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It repeals the Election Commission (Conditions of Service of Election Commissioners and Transaction of Business) Act, 1991.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023 Concerns<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023 has raised concerns about the independence of the Election Commission.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Replacing the Chief Justice of India with a Union Cabinet Minister <\/span><b>may increase executive influence in appointments.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since two of the three Selection Committee members are from the government, critics fear <\/span><b>government dominance.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Allowing the Selection Committee to consider names beyond the Search Committee\u2019s panel has raised <\/span><b>transparency concerns.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Supporters argue that Parliament has the power under Article 324(2) to decide the appointment process.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Current Judicial Scrutiny: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The constitutional validity of certain provisions of the Act is presently under consideration before the Supreme Court.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Petitions have challenged whether the appointment mechanism under the Act is <\/span><b>consistent with the principles laid down in Anoop Baranwal v. Union of India (2023).<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Supreme Court is examining whether Parliament\u2019s law under Article 324(2) adequately safeguards the independence of the Election Commission.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Separate petitions have also challenged Section 16, which grants protection to the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners from civil and criminal proceedings for acts performed in discharge of official duties.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Supreme Court has issued notice on the challenge to Section 16 but has not stayed the operation of the provision.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Court\u2019s final judgment is expected to clarify the constitutional balance between Parliament\u2019s legislative power under Article 324(2) and the independence of the Election Commission.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023 Significance<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023 marks a significant development in the evolution of India\u2019s electoral framework.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It fills the long-standing legislative gap under Article 324(2) regarding the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It replaces unwritten conventions with a statutory appointment process enacted by Parliament.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It provides legal certainty regarding qualifications, tenure, service conditions and the functioning of the Election Commission.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It strengthens procedural clarity by defining the roles of the Search Committee and Selection Committee.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It reinforces the constitutional framework governing one of India\u2019s most important democratic institutions.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023 explained with key provisions, appointment process, tenure, powers, concerns, and significance.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":117636,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[786],"tags":[6694],"class_list":["post-117645","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-general-studies","tag-chief-election-commissioner","no-featured-image-padding"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/117645","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=117645"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/117645\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":117651,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/117645\/revisions\/117651"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/117636"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=117645"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=117645"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=117645"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}