Chief Election Commissioner appointment Bill: The good, the debatable

In question: Though certain aspects of proposed law have been appreciated, members of Oppn and civil society have flagged infringement of independence of top poll officers. Aditi Phadnis explains

The Rajya Sabha last week passed the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023. Some aspects of the Bill have elicited widespread approval, including maintaining the salary and perks of the CEC and ECs at the level of a Supreme Court judge, rather than aligning them with that of a cabinet secretary. But doubts and apprehensions about its broader implications persist.
 

One change proposed by the Bill —which still needs to be passed by the Lok Sabha to become law — has seen limited disagreement. This is the clause that