In a first, selection process for next CEC casts wider net

THE NET FOR choosing the next Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) could be cast wider as the successor to Rajiv Kumar may be picked from a shortlist of five current or former bureaucrats.

- DAMINI NATH

So far, the next senior-most Election Commissioner has always been the default choice to succeed the CEC.

To be sure, the next senior-most Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar, is still in contention since the Selection Committee has the freedom to look outside the shortlist, sources said.

Current CEC Rajiv Kumar demits office on February 18. The Election Commission comprises the CEC and two election commissioners—Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu at present.

The change in the process is in accordance with a new Act passed by the Parliament in December 2023. As per the Act, the appointment of both the CEC and ECs requires a Search Committee chaired by the Law Minister to prepare a panel of five names for the Selection Committee.

The Selection Committee, comprising the Prime Minister, a Cabinet minister and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, can select from this panel or consider "any other person" from outside.