Parliament: Bill on CEC & ECs’ appointments on special session agenda

NEW DELHI: The government on Wednesday said a discussion on the evolution of parliamentary democracy in India and a few bills, including the controversial one for the appointment of Election Commissioners, will be part of the agenda for the much-awaited special Parliament session from September 18.
The announcement about a discussion on ‘Parliamentary Journey of 75 years Starting from Samvidhan Sabha – Achievements, Experiences, Memories and Learnings’, being part of the agenda came hours after the decision to hold the customary session eve meet of floor leaders could not quell the anticipation about the government having something more up its sleeves.

The plan to call the session was followed by moves to amplify the Centre’s serious intent to examine the feasibility of “one nation-one poll” idea, which served to escalate the suspense about the session.

At least four bills on the agenda of special Parliament session
A pitch for clubbing all the polls to free up time of political parties and governments to focus on governance can be a good complement for a larger discussion on the country’s journey as a parliamentary democracy, but there was no clarity on that yet.

The government’s decision to keep under wraps its plans regarding the session has drawn flak, but it has persisted with its tight-lipped posture. At least four government bills, including the crucial legislation to regulate the appointment, conditions of service and term of office of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners, are on the agenda.

According to a parliamentary bulletin issued by Rajya Sabha, the Upper House will take up the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill for consideration and passing.

The contentious bill, criticised heavily by the opposition parties, was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on August 10. The proposed legislation deals with the procedure for transaction of business by the Election Commission and proposes that ECs be appointed by the President on the recommendation of a PM-led panel also comprising Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and a cabinet minister nominated by the PM.
The opposition parties have said that, if passed, the bill will negate the Supreme Court’s March 2023 judgment that held that appointment of ECs be done by the President on the advice of a panel comprising the PM, LoP and the Chief Justice of India.
The apex court judgment had, however, held that this procedure would hold only till Parliament enacts a law. Government sources have defended the bill saying it is in keeping with both the Constitution and the SC judgment in question which said that appointment of ECs is to be done by a law enacted by Parliament. They have also said the bill marks the first time when the appointment of ECs is proposed to be done by a collegium.