Free and fair elections can happen only if there are independent Election Commissioners, SC says

📌 Summary:

• The Supreme Court nudged the Union government to address concerns over its dominant role in appointing the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners (ECs), holding that free and fair elections depend on a truly independent Election Commission of India

• The Court flagged the absence of even "one absolutely neutral person" on the Prime Minister-chaired selection committee

• It questioned the presence of a Cabinet Minister on the panel, observing such a Minister could not be expected to defy the Prime Minister

• It noted the Leader of the Opposition's presence may be merely "ornamental" since appointments can be made without a unanimous vote

• The Bench was hearing petitions challenging the CEC and other ECs (Appointment, Conditions of Service, and Term of Office) Act

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS2 — independence of constitutional bodies, electoral reforms and the appointment process of the Election Commission; tension between executive dominance and institutional autonomy

📝 Prelims Facts:

• The CEC and other ECs (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act governs ECI appointments

• The selection committee is chaired by the Prime Minister and includes a Union Cabinet Minister and the Leader of the Opposition

• The ECI is a constitutional body under Article 324

🔑 Key Term: Election Commission of India — a permanent, independent constitutional body under Article 324 responsible for administering Union and State elections