Supreme Court to hear pleas against CEC, ECs appointments on February 19

Supreme Court to prioritize hearing pleas against CEC and EC appointments under 2023 law on February 19.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday (February 18, 2025) said it would on February 19 take up on "priority basis" the pleas against the appointments of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners (EC) under the 2023 law.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh was informed by advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for an NGO, that despite the Constitution bench verdict of 2023 directing selection and appointment of the CEC and ECs through a panel including the Chief Justice of India, the government excluded the CJI and made a "mockery of democracy".

He said, "The matter is listed on February 19 but it is listed as item number 41. The government has appointed the CEC and EC as per 2023 law disregarding the view taken by a constitution bench. Kindly take up on top of the board as the matter requires urgent consideration." Advocate Varun Thakur, appearing for petitioner Jaya Thakur, said three appointments were made by the government under the new law, which was under challenge.

The bench assured Mr. Bhushan and other parties that after some urgent listed matters, it would take up the petitions for hearing on February 19.

On February 12, the top court fixed February 19 to hear pleas against the appointment of the CEC and EC under the 2023 law saying if anything happens in the interregnum, the consequences were bound to follow.

It said the issue would be decided on merit and finally.

Mr. Bhushan had submitted that the 2023 verdict held that the election commissioners have to be selected for appointment by an independent panel comprising the Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition and Chief Justice of India.