Law Commission Pitches For Collegium System To Appoint Election Commissioners With Constitutional Protection

13 March, New Delhi

Law Commission has pitched for a stronger Election Commission by giving equal Constitutional protection to all members of the poll body and appointing the Chief Election Commissioner, CEC and the two Election Commissioners by a high-powered Collegium.

In its report on electoral reforms submitted to the Law Ministry, the law panel has also recommended creation of a permanent, independent Secretariat for the Election Commission.

The President appoints Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners after the Law Ministry initiates the file for their appointment. The Chief Election Commissioner can be removed from office only through impeachment by Parliament.

The Law Commission said, the appointment of all the Election Commissioners, including the CEC, should be made by the President in consultation with a three-member Collegium or Selection Committee, consisting of the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India.