Chief Election Commissioner

March 6, 2023

Chief Election Commissioner heads the Election Commission of India – the statutory body responsible for the conducting of free and fair elections to the national and state legislatures and of the President and Vice President. It is very difficult to remove the Chief Election Commissioner after being appointed by the President. A two-thirds of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha is required to be present and vote against CEC for improper action or disorderly conduct to remove him from office.

Why is Chief Election Commissioner in News?

A 5-judge constitutional bench of the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the committee with the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India must pick the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners. The court also said that this arrangement would hold until the Parliament passes a dedicated law. The bench was hearing a petition requesting reform in the appointment of Election Commissioners of India.

Chief Election Commissioner in the USA

Just like India, the Federal Election Commission of the USA is also an independent body. It was created only in 1974! There are six election commissioners. They are all appointed by the President of the USA. The term of the election commissioners is six years.

Chief Election Commissioner in the UK

The election commission was created only in 2001. There are ten election commissioners. The commissioners are selected from the Members of the Parliament. In India, usually experienced IAS officers or other eminent personalities are appointed as the Election Commissioner.

Chief Election Commissioner in Russia

The Central Election Commission of Russia was created in 1993. There are 15 members of the commission. Earlier, only people with higher education can become members of the commission. However, this was changed in 2007 and now even people without higher education can become election commissioners.

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