The Center recently opposed calls for a collegium-like system for the selection of CECs.
New Delhi:
The Supreme Court said on Tuesday that no chief election commissioner has served a six-year term since 2004. A constitutional bench pointed out that there were six CECs during the UPA’s ten-year rule and eight in the NDA’s eight years.
Here are 5 great quotes from the Supreme Court:
The government gives the ECs and CECs such a shortened term of office that they do what they want.
There have been numerous CECs and TN Seshan happens occasionally. We don’t want anyone knocking it down. Enormous power rests on the fragile shoulder of three men (CEC and two Electoral Commissioners). We need to find the best man for CEC’s post.
The situation on the ground is alarming. We know there will be opposition from the ruling party not to allow us to go beyond the current system.
What is important is that we set up a reasonably good procedure, so that in addition to competence, someone with a strong character is appointed as CEC.
Democracy is a basic structure of the Constitution. There’s no discussion about that. Nor can we tell Parliament to do anything and we will not. We just want to do something about the issue that has been going on since 1990.
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