Topic: Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.
4. The Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023 has raised concerns about the potential impact on the independence and authority of the Election Commission. Critically analyse. (250 words)
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Indian Express , Insights on India
Why the question:
The article discusses a bill that proposes downgrading the status of the Election Commission in India from that of a Supreme Court judge to that of a Cabinet Secretary.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the process of appointment of Election commissioners and need for an independent body to appoint them.
Directive word:
Critically analyze – When asked to analyse, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them in a summary. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a balanced judgment on the topic.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by writing about Article 324 to 329.
Body:
First, write about the mechanism of appointment of election commissioners in India.
Next, write about the various issues in the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023 – downgrade the Election Commission’s status to that of a Cabinet Secretary, No CJI in the selection panel, autonomy of the commission, influence of executive branch of government etc.
Next, write about the measures to ensure autonomy and independence of election commission.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a balanced opinion.
