The committee has so far held two meetings since it was constituted in September last year. It had recently written to political parties seeking their views and an interaction on a "mutually agreed date" on the idea of holding simultaneous polls. It had later sent a reminder to the parties. Letters were sent to six national parties, 33 state parties and seven registered unrecognised parties.
The high-level committee, set up by the Law Ministry in September 2023, last week wrote to former CECs seeking their inputs on the administrative and legal aspects, according to two sources aware of the development.
The government introduced a bill in the Rajya Sabha to regulate the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners appointments and terms. The Congress criticized it, claiming the bill undermines the Election Commission s independence by granting excessive power to the executive. The bill aims to replace the 1991 Act, introducing changes in appointment procedures, salary matters, and legal protections for CEC and ECs. The Congress argues it violates the Constitution and weakens the EC s autonomy, favoring executive control.
The Rajya Sabha on Tuesday passed a bill to regulate the appointment and service terms of the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners after the opposition staged a walkout. The Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023, was passed in the Upper House of Parliament with a voice vote. Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal moved the bill in the Upper House.
Pune (Maharashtra) [India], September 21 (ANI/BusinessWire India): A first-ever working committee of eminent parliamentarians from various political parties and Vidhan Sabha/Council Speakers/Chairmen from many States and Union Territories met in Pune to decide on the organization of the National Young Legislators' Conference (NYLC or Rashtriya Yuva Vidhayak Sammelan). The working committee meeting was co-chaired by the noted former Speakers of Lok Sabha - Shivraj Patil, Meira Kumar and Sumitra Mahajan. The incumbent and former Speakers of State Assemblies and Chairpersons of Legislative Councils from more than 15 states, former Chief Election Commissioners, and a few former bureaucrats also participated in the deliberations. As India celebrates Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav currently and in another 2 years, India will be entering into the 75th year of implementation of the Constitution. The NYLC will connect these two memorable achievements in the history of our country by bringing young