New Delhi: The Congress party on Monday, February 17, made its position clear regarding the selection of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC). The party called for the postponement of the meeting related to the election of the CEC, urging the Modi government to file a petition in the Supreme Court requesting an expedited hearing on the matter.
Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi said, "Removing or trying to keep the Chief Justice out of the appointment (of CEC) process as an independent entity, the govt has made it clear, they want only control but not credibility. The most important thing for the Election Commission is credibility."
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Congress expressed its "full support" for the government's petition, emphasizing that it should set aside any ego and accept this demand for a prompt resolution.
In their X post, the party emphasised how the issue has become significant, as the new law—the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act—introduced by the Modi government in 2023, has already been challenged in the Supreme Court, with three orders having been passed so far. The next hearing is scheduled for February 19.
"Modi government should file a petition in the Supreme Court that the hearing related to the CEC election should be held soon. Congress will fully support the government in this. The government should leave aside its ego and accept this demand," the tweet read.
Congress's statement followed a meeting attended by Rahul Gandhi, Prime Minister Modi, and Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal to discuss the appointment of the next CEC.
Gandhi raised concerns over the exclusion of the Chief Justice from the selection committee under the new Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service, and Term of Office) Act, 2023.
The current CEC, Rajiv Kumar, will retire on February 18, after which Gyanesh Kumar, the senior-most Election Commissioner, will take over, with his term lasting until January 26, 2029.
