Sushil Chandra appointed as the new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC).

  • The President appointed Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra as the 24th Chief Election Commissioner (CEC).
  • He replaced Sunil Arora.
ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA
  • The Election Commission of India (ECI) is an autonomous constitutional authority responsible for administering Union and State election processes in India.
  • It was established in accordance with the Constitution on 25th January 1950 (celebrated as national voters' day). The secretariat of the commission is located in New Delhi.
  • The body administers elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and State Legislative Assemblies in India, and the offices of the President and Vice President in the country.
  • It is not concerned with the elections to panchayats and municipalities in the states. For this, the Constitution of India provides for a separate State Election Commission.
  • Part XV (Article 324-329) of the Indian Constitution: It deals with elections, and establishes a commission for these matters.
STRUCTURE AND MEMBERS
  • Originally, the commission had only one election commissioner but after the Election Commissioner Amendment Act 1989, it has been made a multi-member body
  • The Election Commission shall consist of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and such number of other election commissioners, if any, as the President may from time to time fix.
  • Presently, it consists of the CEC and two Election Commissioners.
  • The President appoints CEC and Election Commissioners.
  • They have a fixed tenure of six years, or up to the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
  • They enjoy the same status and receive salary and perks as available to Judges of the Supreme Court (SC) of India.
  • They can resign anytime or can also be removed before the expiry of their term.
  • The CEC can be removed from office only through a process of removal similar to that of a SC judge by Parliament.

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