Wed Apr 16 06:21:07 UTC 2025: **Supreme Court to Hear Pleas Challenging Election Commissioner Appointments in May**
NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court of India will hear a batch of petitions challenging the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners (ECs) on May 14th. The petitions argue that the 2023 law used for the appointments violates a previous Supreme Court ruling that mandated a selection panel including the Chief Justice of India (CJI).
The court’s decision to hear the case follows an appeal by advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing the petitioner NGO Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR). Bhushan contends that the current appointment process, which excludes the CJI, undermines the independence of the Election Commission and is detrimental to democracy. He asserts that the 2023 law contradicts a 2023 Constitutional Bench verdict which stipulated a three-member panel comprising the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, and the CJI for the selection process.
The appointments in question include Gyanesh Kumar as the CEC and Vivek Joshi as an EC. Kumar is the first CEC appointed under the new law, and his term extends until January 26, 2029. Joshi’s term will run until 2031. The ADR’s plea alleges that the government’s actions constitute excessive executive interference in the appointment process.
The Supreme Court had previously deferred hearing the pleas, but the latest decision indicates a commitment to resolving the constitutional challenge before the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The case hinges on the interpretation of the 2023 law and its compliance with the principles of judicial independence and the need for a non-partisan Election Commission.
First Piper 