Who Will Be The New CEC? PM Modi-Led Panel Finalises Name Rahul Gandhi Objects, Asks Govt To Wait Until SC Hearing

(MENAFN- Live Mint) Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led selection committee, which met at PMO in South Block on February 17, has finalised and recommended the name of the next chief election commissioner (CEC) to President Droupadi Murmu, news agency PTI said quoting sources on Monday.

Gyanesh Kumar, the Election Commissioner since March last year, is among the five names shortlisted to replace Rajiv Kumar as Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India, sources said. Kumar's term ends on February 18 on attaining the age of 65 years.

Also Read | Rajiv Kumar's tenure ends on Feb 18, PM-chaired panel may pick new CEC next week

Besides Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi – part of the panel which – met on Monday evening. The government is expected to announce the name of the next CEC soon, the PTI report said.

Rahul Gandhi's objection overruled?

Rahul Gandhi is learnt to have asked the Modi government to defer the appointment until the Supreme Court decides on the petitions challenging the new appointment process.

The PM-led panel has reportedly overruled Gandhi's dissent note objecting to the Selection Committee's composition and a notification announcing the new CEC is expected anytime soon, according to a report in the Indian Express.

The Congress has asked the government to adjourn the meeting to select the new CEC until the Supreme Court hears on February 19 a petition on the constitution of the selection panel. The statement came soon after a meeting of the PM Modi-led selection committee attended by Rahul Gandhi .

Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi said that by removing the Chief Justice of India from the selection committee, the government has made it clear it wants control and not preserve the credibility of the Election Commission. He said the case challenging the new act to appoint the CEC and other Election Commissioners is currently pending before the Supreme Court, which has issued a notice, and the matter is now listed for next hearing on February 19.

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