Can’t PM be trusted on appointing CEC, government asks Supreme Court
The Indian government is defending its 2023 law regarding the appointment of Election Commissioners before the Supreme Court. The Centre argues that the Prime Minister's office holds constitutional trust and that the judiciary should not presume bad faith in the selection process.
Why it matters
This case addresses the balance of power between the executive and the judiciary regarding the independence of election oversight bodies.
The Union government questioned in the Supreme Court on Thursday (July 30, 2026) the insistence on having the Chief Justice of India (CJI) on the Prime Minister’s panel which selects the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), saying if the decision of the Prime Minister cannot be trusted then an “outsider” or a former judge must sit in to advice on the appointment of Cabinet Ministers too.
The Centre’s submission came while hearing petitions challenging the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service, and Term of Office) Act of 2023.
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