To regulate the appointment, conditions of service and term of office of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and other Election Commissioners (ECs), and the procedure for the transaction of business by the Election Commission, the Central government on Tuesday moved a bill in the Rajya Sabha. The bill in the Upper House for its consideration and passage was moved by the Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal. While moving the bill, Meghwal said three to four important issues will be considered in the bill, which include salary and regulation of appointments, among others.Key aspects of the bill:According to the information, the bill is going to replace the Election Commission (Conditions of Service of Election Commissioners and Transaction of Business) Act, 1991. The bill was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on August 10 for the consideration.Appointment: The bill proposes to set up a six-member committee headed by the Prime Minister to recommend appointments to the CEC and EC positions. The committee will include the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, the Home Minister, a cabinet minister nominated by the Prime Minister, and the Chief Justice of India or a Supreme Court judge nominated by him.Conditions of service: The bill aims to regulate the salary, allowances, and other conditions of service of the CEC and ECs. The salary and conditions of service of the CEC and ECs will be equivalent to that of the Cabinet Secretary. Under the 1991 Act, it was equivalent to the salary of a Supreme Court judge.Term of office: The bill proposes that the CEC and ECs will have a fixed term of six years or until they reach the age of 65, whichever is earlier.Eligibility: For the posts includes holding (or having held) a post equivalent to that of Secretary to the Central Government.Procedure for transaction of business: The bill seeks to define the procedure for the ECI to conduct its business and take decisions.The bill is currently under consideration in the Rajya Sabha. It is expected to be debated and voted upon in the coming days. It will then need to be passed by the Lok Sabha and receive Presidential assent before becoming law.
