• Meeting between PM Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi to appoint a new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) after Rajiv Kumar’s retirement.
  • Highlights changes in the appointment process introduced by a new law.

Previous Appointment Process:

  • CEC and Election Commissioners were appointed by the President based on the PM’s advice.
  • No formal legislation governed the process.
  • Seniority principle (by appointment date) determined succession, leading to ambiguity if multiple commissioners were appointed on the same day.

New Appointment Process (2023 Act):

  • Law: Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023.
  • Search Committee: Led by the Law Minister, prepares a shortlist of candidates.
  • Selection Committee: Comprises:
    1. Prime Minister
    2. Leader of Opposition
    3. A Cabinet Minister
  • Maximum term: 6 years.