Kaun Banega CEC? PM-led panel meets

New Delhi: The three-member selection committee, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is learnt to have recommended the name of the 26th chief election commissioner to President Droupadi Murmu following a high-level meeting here.

Besides Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah and Lok Sabha's leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi are part of the panel to select CEC. The committee met here at the Prime Minister's Office in South Block.

The name of the next CEC, however, was not announced until press time, even as incumbent Rajiv Kumar will demit office on Tuesday.


Also Read: Gyanesh Kumar appointed as India's Chief Election Commissioner amid Cong's postponement appeal

As per convention, senior-most election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar is expected to take on the mantle at Nirvachan Sadan. But according to the 2023 law on appointment of CEC and ECs, a high-powered committee shortlists five secretary-level officers for consideration and finalisation by the PM-led panel.

The 2023 law, however, has been challenged in the Supreme Court and is set to be heard on Tuesday.

Also Read: Who is Vivek Joshi, India’s new election commissioner?

In case Gyanesh Kumar is named CEC by the committee, he will steer the poll panel till January 2029 - just shy of the 19th Lok Sabha elections. In such a scenario, the committee is also expected to name a new election commissioner. The other election commissioner, Sukhbir Sandhu, will continue in office until mid-2028.

Also Read: Who is Gyanesh Kumar, India’s new Chief Election Commissioner?