NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will meet next week to decide who will be India’s next Chief Election Commissioner (CEC). The meeting will take place before Rajiv Kumar, the current Chief Election Commissioner, retires on February 18.
How Is the New CEC Chosen?
Earlier, the senior-most Election Commissioner would automatically become the next Chief Election Commissioner. But last year, the government changed the rules. Now, a search committee selects five top officials for the position. These names are then reviewed by a selection committee, which makes the final choice.
Who Is in Charge of the Selection?
The Panel, led by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, includes the finance secretary and the secretary of the Department of Personnel and Training. This panel will send a shortlist of names to the selection committee.
The selection committee is headed by PM Modi and also includes Rahul Gandhi, who is the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, along with a Union Cabinet minister chosen by the prime minister. The final appointment is made by the President based on their recommendation.
When Will the New CEC Be Announced?
The selection committee is expected to meet on February 17, just a day before Rajiv Kumar retires. They will review the shortlisted names and announce the next CEC soon after.
Who Are the Top Contenders?
Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar is considered a strong candidate for the role. He is the senior-most EC after Rajiv Kumar and will remain in office until January 2029. The search committee reviewed over 480 candidates before narrowing it down to five.
The decision will be crucial, as the new CEC will lead the Election Commission at a time when important elections are approaching.
It was on January 27, 2025 that the central government has formulated a search panel under Union Law Minister Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal so as to shortlist names for the appointment of the next CEC, sources had said citing an order.