Demands made by ECI

♤ There is no constitutional protection for all three of its members. Two of its Election Commissioners can be removed by the government on the recommendation of the Chief Election Commissioner.

♤ Unlike the CAG and UPSC, the ECI budget is not ‘charged’ upon the Consolidated Fund but voted and approved by Parliament.

♤ There is no independent secretariat for the ECI due to which it has to depend on DoPT to appoint its officers. If it is approved by the Law Ministry, the poll panel will be free to frame its own recruitment rules and shortlist and appoint officers on its own. It can then also draw competent professionals and experts from the job market.

♤ At present, the senior most EC is not automatically elevated as CEC. If done, this shall instill a feeling of security in the minds of the ECs in terms of insulation from executive interference in the same manner as CEC.

♤ Election commission (EC) has urged Law ministry to amend election laws to enable EC to use contempt of court Act against parties making unfounded allegations.