Supreme Court Delays Hearing on Election Commission Selection Law
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court faced a scheduling challenge on Wednesday, leading to the postponement of a critical hearing regarding petitions against a 2023 law that modifies the selection framework for the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners (ECs). The day’s court agenda was dominated by pre-scheduled cases, preventing the bench from addressing the petitions.
Petitioners’ Attempts for Urgent Hearing
Lawyer Prashant Bhushan, representing the petitioners, made multiple requests throughout the day to have their case prioritized. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta was engaged in another significant case before a five-judge constitution bench, requesting that the Supreme Court consider rescheduling the hearing. Bhushan countered, suggesting that the Solicitor General could delegate responsibilities to other law officers for this urgent matter.
Implications of the New Law
The contested law, enacted on December 29, 2023, replaces the Chief Justice of India with a Union cabinet minister in the selection panel for the CEC and ECs. The petitioners argue that this shift raises concerns about the executive’s influence over the election process, ultimately questioning the integrity and fairness of elections in India.
Next Steps
Despite initial indications that the court might only be able to hear the case on March 19, the bench expressed a willingness to accommodate the petitions sooner. This decision underscores the significance of the matter at hand.
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