In a swift move, the President appointed Gyanesh Kumar as the new Chief Election Commissioner of India, along with the appointment of Haryana Chief Secretary Vivek Joshi as the Election Commissioner. The decision was made after a meeting between the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister, and Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, who expressed disapproval and gave a dissent note. This is the first time the appointment was made under the new CEC and Other ECs Act, 2023, which was implemented based on a Supreme Court ruling in 2023 to establish a Selection Committee for the appointment process. However, the Opposition has challenged the new law in the court and the next hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.
Background:
The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) is the head of the Election Commission of India, an autonomous constitutional authority responsible for conducting free and fair elections in the country. The CEC is appointed by the President of India in consultation with the Prime Minister, Home Minister, and the Leader of the Opposition.
Recent Appointment:
On February 6, 2023, the President appointed Gyanesh Kumar as the new CEC of India. Kumar, a former IAS officer, has served as the Election Commissioner since 2021.
Along with Kumar, Vivek Joshi, the Chief Secretary of Haryana, was appointed as the Election Commissioner.
Controversy:
The appointment process has been controversial, with the Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, expressing disapproval and issuing a dissent note. Gandhi has questioned the government's intention and alleged that the new CEC was appointed "with an eye on the 2024 General Elections."
New Law:
The appointment was made under the new CEC and Other ECs Act, 2023. This law was implemented based on a Supreme Court ruling in 2023 that called for a Selection Committee to be established for the appointment process.
Legal Challenge:
The Opposition has challenged the new law in court. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for Wednesday, February 8, 2023.
FAQs:
1. Who is the current CEC of India? A: Gyanesh Kumar
2. What is the controversy surrounding the recent CEC appointment? A: The Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, has alleged that the government appointed the new CEC with an eye on the 2024 General Elections.
3. What is the new CEC and Other ECs Act, 2023? A: A law that was implemented based on a Supreme Court ruling to establish a Selection Committee for the appointment of the CEC and other Election Commissioners.
4. Has the Opposition challenged the new law? A: Yes, the Opposition has challenged the new law in court.
5. What is the next step in the legal challenge to the new law? A: The next hearing in the case is scheduled for Wednesday, February 8, 2023.
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