[BREAKING] Plea in Supreme Court seeks independent collegium for appointment of members of Election Commission

A petition was filed before the Supreme Court against the practice of executive appointing the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners. .The plea filed by NGO, Association for Democratic Reforms contended that the practice of Central government appointing Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners is violative of Articles 14 and 324(2) of the Constitution. "The Petitioner by way of present Petition is also seeking a direction for constituting a neutral and independent collegium/ selection committee for appointment of members of Election Commission on the lines of the recommendations of Law Commission in its 255th Report of March 2015," the plea said. .ADR has contended that appointment of members of the Election Commission "on the whims and fancies of the executive violates the very foundation on which it was created, thus, making the Commission a branch of the executive.".The petition has further stated that the executive alone cannot be a participant in selection of the members of poll body.."Election Commission is not only responsible for conducting free and fair elections but it also renders a quasi judicial function between the various political parties including the ruling government and other parties. In such circumstances the executive cannot be the sole participant in the appointment of members of the Election Commission as it gives unfettered discretion to the ruling party to choose someone whose loyalty to it is ensured and thereby renders the selection process vulnerable to manipulation. Thus, the aforesaid practice violates Article 14 of the Constitution of India and is incompatible with free and fair elections," reads the plea. .The petitioner has contended that Central government by not making appropriate law for ensuring just, fair and reasonable selection process for the appointment of members of Election Commission since 1950 is unwarranted."To ensure proper implementation of the rule of law, it is in the interest of justice to issue necessary directions/ guidelines to fill the vacuum occurred on account of the aforesaid inaction till such time the legislature steps in to cover the gap or the executive discharges its role," states the plea.