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Appointment of Election Commissioners - Past Debates and Present System Explained | UPSC GS2 Polity | Vajirao & Reddy Institute Why in News? The appointment of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners (ECs) is again in debate after the new CEC Act 2023, raising questions about independence of Election Commission of India (ECI). In this video by Vajirao & Reddy Institute, India's Top Potential Training Institute for IAS, we do a complete analysis from The Hindu, Indian Express, PIB & ET for UPSC Prelims & Mains 2026. What you will learn in this video: 1. What is Election Commission of India? Article 324 of Constitution - superintendence, direction and control of elections. 2. Past System / Old Procedure: Before 2023, there was no law by Parliament under Article 324(2). CEC & ECs were appointed by President on advice of Union Cabinet. Senior-most EC used to become CEC. Critics called it executive monopoly. 3. Past Debates & Supreme Court Intervention: In Anoop Baranwal vs Union of India (March 2023), 5-judge Constitution Bench ruled that appointment should be by a committee of Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, and Chief Justice of India (CJI) to ensure neutrality - similar to CBI Director appointment. This was an interim arrangement till Parliament makes a law. 4. Present System - CEC and Other ECs Act, 2023: Parliament passed new law. - Search Committee headed by Law Minister shortlists 5 names. - Selection Committee: Prime Minister (Chair), Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, and a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by PM. - President appoints based on Selection Committee recommendation. - Tenure: 6 years or till 65 years age. Salary same as Supreme Court Judge. - CJI removed from panel, replaced by Union Minister - this is the main controversy. 5. Current Issue: Petitions in Supreme Court challenging new Act saying it gives executive dominance and dilutes SC's objective of independent ECI. Why Important for UPSC? Highly relevant for GS2 Polity - Constitutional Bodies, ECI, Separation of Powers, Judiciary-Executive Debate, Free & Fair Elections & Democracy. Important for Prelims (Article 324) + Mains + Essay. Stay tuned for Daily The Hindu Analysis by Vajirao & Reddy Institute, Delhi's Best IAS Coaching for 40+ years. #ElectionCommissionOfIndia #AppointmentOfElectionCommissioners #CEC #ECI #CECAct2023 #AnoopBaranwalCase #SupremeCourt #Article324 #UPSC2026 #GS2Polity #ConstitutionOfIndia #ElectionLaws #Democracy #TheHinduAnalysis #VajiraoAndReddyInstitute #DelhiBestIASCoaching #ConstitutionalBodies