A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court alleging that statutory rules were not followed in the appointment of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.
According to the plea, before filling each vacancy, a panel of five names must be prepared. The petitioner claims this process was not followed in these appointments.
The petition also questions the eligibility of the three appointees, stating that none of them had previously handled election-related work. It further alleges they do not meet the qualifications laid down in the 2023 law dealing with appointments, service conditions and tenure.
The plea notes that the Supreme Court had earlier expressed concern about the selection process and argues that names under consideration should be placed before the selection committee for scrutiny. The matter is expected to come up for hearing soon.
Meanwhile, opposition parties have been protesting in connection with the SIR issue, demanding the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner.
