Supreme Court Urged to Reinstate CJI in Selection Committee for EC Appointments

A plea by the Association for Democratic Reforms, presented before the Supreme Court, highlights concerns regarding the potential for unfair advantage in filling the vacancies of Election Commissioners (ECs) following Arun Goel’s resignation. The NGO emphasizes the critical role of the Election Commission in maintaining free and fair elections and calls for transparency in appointments to safeguard against bias.

The plea underscores the significance of adhering to the landmark judgment in the Anoop Baranwal case, which mandated the inclusion of the Chief Justice of India (CJI) in the selection committee.

The NGO contends that recent legislative changes, replacing the CJI with a Cabinet Minister in the committee, threaten the independence of the appointment process. With the imminent elections, the plea stresses the urgency of ensuring the Election Commission’s integrity by preventing vacancies and preserving democratic principles.