Watch | How were the new Election Commissioners selected, and why is the new law being criticized?
The Hindu
A video explaining the old and new process of appointment of election commissioners and why the new law is being criticized and the Supreme Court angle
On March 14, two retired bureaucrats, Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, were appointed as Election Commissioners, just two days ahead of the announcement of the dates of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
They are now part of the three member Election Commission of India panel, headed by Rajiv Kumar, the Chief Election Commissioner.
The two officials are the first to be appointed under the new law governing appointments to the constitutional body, the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023.
What is the new law?
Under the new law, the two commissioners were selected by a three-member Selection Committee, comprising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and the Leader of the Indian National Congress in the Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, as leader of the largest party in the Opposition.
They were chosen out of a shortlisted panel of six names. The shortlisting was done by a search committee which, according to the Act, is headed by the Union Minister for Law and Justice and includes two officials of the rank of Secretary to the government.
What was the process before this?
Day One of IPL Player Auction features 84 cricketers, including Faf du Plessis, Sam Curran, and Prithvi Shaw.
PM Modi announces Viksit Bharat Young Leaders’ Dialogue on Jan 11-12 in Delhi to connect youth with politics.
Maharashtra Assembly lacks Leader of Opposition due to BJP's landslide victory, opposition parties fail to meet required mandate.
Court orders framing of charges against 25 accused in Delhi riot case, including murder, arson, and dacoity.
Prithviraj Chavan reflects on Congress' shocking defeat in Maharashtra assembly polls, discusses results with party leadership in Delhi.
Delhi's air quality crisis blamed on farm fires, NASA satellites track stubble burning, CAQM under scrutiny.
Director Jon Watts walks away from planned Wolfs sequel due to Apple's unexpected shift to streaming, despite initial greenlight.
Maharashtra government formation LIVE: Mahayuti is slated to form the government within the next three days, with winning MLAs being asked to gather in Mumbai immediately. Follow The Hindu’s live updates
After a long, tiring day all we want is to jump right on our cosy beds and rest comfortably on our soft, fluffy pillows, right? Pillows are not quite appreciated as much as electric cars or air-fryers, for instance. Pillows are a wonderful man-made creation that has improved the lives and sleep of people across the globe. Did you know ages ago people used to rest their heads on a HARD ROCK? So how did humans go from sleeping on stones to cosy, fluffy and soft pillows today? Let’s get into the origin of your everyday pillows!
Yashaswi Jaiswal shines with century as India takes strong lead against Australia in Border-Gavaskar trophy.
After contentious climate finance pact, developing nations criticize $300 billion pledge as inadequate in global climate deal.