Why in the News?

• Notices seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar were rejected due to a lack of evidence.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• About CEC (Appointment, Tenure, Powers & Functions, Removal)
• News Summary

Office of the Chief Election Commissioner

• The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) is the head of the Election Commission of India, a constitutional body established under Article 324 of the Constitution.
• The Commission is responsible for conducting free and fair elections to Parliament, State Legislatures, and the offices of the President and Vice-President.

Appointment of CEC

• The CEC is appointed by the President of India.
• As per the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023, the appointment is made on the recommendation of a selection committee comprising:
  • Prime Minister,
  • Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and
  • One Union Cabinet Minister.
• This aims to bring transparency and balance in the selection process.

Tenure

• The CEC holds office for a term of six years or until the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
• The conditions of service cannot be varied to their disadvantage after appointment, ensuring independence.

Powers and Functions

• The Election Commission, headed by the CEC, enjoys wide-ranging powers under Article 324.
• These include:

• Superintendence, direction, and control of elections.
• Preparation and revision of electoral rolls.
• Conduct of free and fair elections.
• Monitoring election expenditure and enforcing the Model Code of Conduct.

• The Commission also has plenary powers to act in areas where laws are silent, ensuring the integrity of the electoral process.

Removal Process

• The removal of the CEC is similar to that of a Supreme Court judge.
• Under Article 324(5), the CEC can be removed only on grounds of proved misbehaviour or incapacity. The process requires:

• A motion passed in both Houses of Parliament.
• Special majority (majority of total membership and two-thirds of members present and voting).

• This high threshold ensures institutional independence and protects the office from arbitrary removal.

News Summary

• Rajya Sabha Chairman and Lok Sabha Speaker rejected notices submitted by Opposition MPs seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
• The presiding officers held that the Opposition failed to provide sufficient proof and that the allegations did not establish a prima facie case of “misbehaviour,” which is a constitutional requirement for removal.
• The notices were signed by 63 Rajya Sabha members and 130 Lok Sabha members and included seven charges against the CEC. These charges were examined in detail and subsequently rejected.
• The presiding officers stated that the allegations either lacked evidence, related to matters already adjudicated, or were currently under judicial consideration.
• They emphasised that such issues did not meet the “high constitutional bar” required to initiate removal proceedings under Articles 324(5) and 124(4).

Allegations Made Against the CEC

• Several specific allegations were addressed. Claims regarding the CEC’s appointment being “tainted” were dismissed, as the pendency of a legal challenge does not constitute misbehaviour.
• Similarly, allegations of bias or differential treatment between the government and the opposition lacked demonstrable evidence.
• The refusal to share electoral data or provide machine-readable electoral rolls was found to be consistent with legal provisions and Supreme Court directions, including considerations of privacy under the Puttaswamy judgment.
• Issues related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls were also examined.

Basis of Rejection of the Allegations

• The presiding officers reiterated that the Election Commission has plenary powers under Article 324 and that the Supreme Court has affirmed its competence in such matters.
• Allegations of contempt of court and lack of institutional independence were rejected as either falling under judicial jurisdiction or being vague and unsupported by evidence.
• Overall, the decision reinforced the constitutional safeguards surrounding the office of the CEC and highlighted the stringent standards required for initiating removal proceedings.