SC flags concerns about ECI autonomy and 'lightning speed' CEC appointment

The SC's observations on the appointment of Election Commissioners have focused attention on one of India's most respected institutions

A history of concerns – some expressed vocally and publicly, some discussed behind closed doors by bureaucrats and politicians – exists about the freedom and autonomy of the Election Commission of India (ECI).

The issue came to a boil last week when the Supreme Court (SC) made some scathing observations while hearing a 2018 public interest litigation (PIL) petition filed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and advocate Ashwini Upadhyay.

After inspecting official files on November 24, the apex court said the November 18 appointment of Arun Goel as Election Commissioner was done with “lightning speed”, the procedure taking less