New Delhi, Dec 12: Amidst protests from opposition parties and former chief election commissioners, the government has opted to maintain the status of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and other election commissioners at the level of judges of the Supreme Court. Currently, the CECs and ECs enjoy the status equivalent to that of a Supreme Court judge.

The Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023, introduced in the Rajya Sabha in August this year, initially proposed aligning the status of the CEC and other ECs with that of the Cabinet Secretary. This move faced opposition from political parties and some former CECs who argued that it would compromise the independence of the institution.

According to sources, the official amendment states, “The CEC and other commissioners shall be paid a salary equal to that of a judge of the Supreme Court.” Another proposed amendment outlines a search committee led by the Union Law Minister, including two other members not below the rank of secretary to the government of India, tasked with preparing a panel of five individuals for the selection committee.

The initial bill had suggested that the Cabinet Secretary would lead the search committee. The revised bill is set for consideration and passage in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.