Supreme Court To Hear Plea Seeking Greater Autonomy For Election Commission Of India

The Supreme Court today agreed to hear a petition after four weeks seeking that the Chief Election Commissioner and election commissioners be appointed by a three-member collegium.

The collegium will comprise the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India.

A bench comprising Chief Justice SA Bobde and justices BR Gavai and Surya Kant took note of submissions that the plea needed an urgent hearing.

"We will list it for hearing after four weeks," the bench said.

BJP leader and lawyer Ashwini Upadhyay has filed the plea seeking to ensure more autonomy for the Chief Election Commissioner's (CEC) office and election commissioners.

The plea has also sought an independent secretariat for the Election Commission of India or ECI and that it should also be given the power to make rules.