The Congress on Tuesday alleged that the government had appointed the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) late on Monday and worked against the order of the Supreme Court and the spirit of the Constitution.The party has termed it against the spirit of the Constitution.
Dnyanesh Kumar has been appointed as the new CEC after a meeting of the Selection Committee held on Monday evening under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal said in a statement issued here today that the government has issued a notification for the appointment of the new Chief Election Commissioner in a hurry last midnight. This is against the spirit of the Constitution. He said that the Supreme Court has reiterated in many such cases that the CEC should be a fair stakeholder for the sanctity of the electoral process.
He said that the amended law removed the CJI from the CEC selection panel and the government should have waited till the Supreme Court hearing on 19 February before selecting the CEC. He said that Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi had already said that this decision should have been postponed until the Supreme Court takes a decision on this issue as per the constitution.
It is noteworthy that after the meeting of the CEC Selection Committee on Monday evening, Gyanesh Kumar and Vivek Joshi were appointed as the new CEC post late last night. Its notification was also released.
