Congressman approaches the Supreme Court in an effort to prevent the Center from designating additional ECs

A request to prevent the Center from designating new election commissioners in accordance with a 2023 law—the terms of which have been contested in the highest court of the land—has been made in the Supreme Court.

Following the retirement of Anup Chandra Pandey and the resignation of Election Commissioner Arun Goel, there are now two openings for election commissioners.

The Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and terms of service) Act, 2023’s provisions have been contested by Congress leader Jaya Thakur in his petition.

In her case, Thakur told the court that “one member of Election Commission namely Arun Goel gave resignation on March 9, 2024, which has been accepted by the President” while her petition was pending, with a notice sent on January 12.

“That petitioner most respectfully submitted that in view of facts that election for Lok Sabha Election 2024 may be announced shortly, therefore appointment of member of new election commissioners is required immediately, for that this court has given clear verdict in the case of ‘Anoop Baranwal Versus Union of India’ (March 2, 2023 verdict) about the appointment process…,” the motion stated.

“It is, therefore, most respectfully prayed that this court may graciously be pleased to direct the respondents to immediately appoint the member, Election Commission of India, as per verdict/judgments passed by this court in the case of Anoop Baranwal Versus Union of India…,” it said.