Question

Consider the following statements about the Chief Election Commissioners:

1. Sukumar Sen was the first Chief Election Commissioner of India and also served as the first Chief Election Commissioner of Nepal and Sudan.

2. V.S. Ramadevi was the first woman Chief Election Commissioner and also the shortest-serving.

3. Gyanesh Kumar is the current Chief Election Commissioner and the first appointed by a selection committee.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

• A. 1 and 2 only
• B. 1 and 3 only
• C. 2 and 3 only
• D. All of the above

Answer 1

Answer:

D. All of the above

Chief Election Commissioners of India

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) is an autonomous constitutional authority responsible for administering election processes in India at national and state levels.

• It was established on January 25, 1950, which is celebrated as National Voters' Day.

• The ECI consists of a Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and two Election Commissioners (ECs).

• Their conditions of service and tenure are provided for by Article 324 of the Indian Constitution.

Sukumar Sen: India's First Chief Election Commissioner

• Sukumar Sen was India's first Chief Election Commissioner, serving from March 21, 1950, to December 19, 1958.

• He was a distinguished Indian Civil Service (ICS) officer.

• Under his leadership, the Election Commission successfully conducted the first two general elections in India (1951-52 and 1957), a monumental task given the vast electorate and low literacy rates.

• He is also notable for his international contributions, having served as the first Chief Election Commissioner of Sudan (1953) and played a crucial role in organizing elections in Nepal. This highlights India's expertise in democratic institution-building.

• His work laid a strong foundation for the democratic process in India.

V.S. Ramadevi: First Woman and Shortest-Serving Chief Election Commissioner

• V.S. Ramadevi holds the distinction of being the first and only woman Chief Election Commissioner of India.

• She served a remarkably brief tenure from November 26, 1990, to December 11, 1990, making her the shortest-serving CEC in India's history.

• Before becoming CEC, she also served as the first woman Secretary-General of the Rajya Sabha (1989-1990).

• After her stint as CEC, she went on to serve as the Governor of Karnataka and later as the Governor of Himachal Pradesh.

Appointment of Election Commissioners and the New Selection Committee

• The appointment process for the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners has recently undergone significant changes.

• Previously, the CEC and ECs were appointed by the President of India based on the recommendations of the Union government.

• In 2023, the Parliament passed the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023.

• This new law establishes a Selection Committee for the appointment of the CEC and other ECs.

• The Selection Committee comprises:

  • The Prime Minister (as Chairperson)

  • A Union Cabinet Minister (nominated by the Prime Minister)

  • The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha (or the leader of the single largest opposition party).

• Under this new mechanism, Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu were appointed as Election Commissioners in March 2024. They are among the first individuals appointed to the Election Commission under this new selection committee process.

• It is important to note that as of March 2024, Rajiv Kumar is the current Chief Election Commissioner of India.

• The change in the appointment mechanism aims to bring more transparency and impartiality to the selection process, addressing concerns raised by various bodies, including the Supreme Court.