New Delhi:

A three-member panel chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet at noon to discuss candidates for two vacant posts on the Election Commission of India’s apex panel. The panel consists of the Prime Minister, Union Ministers and Lok Sabha Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury. It is reported that the federal minister attending the meeting was Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal.

The meeting came days after Election Commissioner Arun Goel resigned, leaving only Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar in the three-member panel. Another election commissioner, Anup Chandra Pandey, retired last month. This is crucial as the Lok Sabha polls are approaching and the polling body will announce the election date.

Goel’s resignation sparked a massive debate, with opposition parties accusing the government of “systematically destroying independent institutions”.

Sources said Goel took the decision for “personal reasons”. They added that there might be some differences between him and the Chief Election Commissioner.

The meeting of the prime minister-led panel comes at a time when multiple petitions have challenged the Supreme Court’s process for appointing top poll officials. The court said it would hear the cases tomorrow.

Last year, the Supreme Court’s constitution bench ruled that senior poll officials must be appointed on the recommendation of a committee consisting of the Chief Justice of India, the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.

A few months later, the Center introduced the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Tenure of Office) Bill, 2023. The legislation was passed by Parliament and removed the Chief Justice of India from the electoral panel. Instead, a federal minister was appointed. This gives the executive greater influence within the group.

Petitioners, including the Association for Democratic Reforms and Congress leader Jaya Thakur, questioned the government’s move.