Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Sunday expressed regret over his party's support for the 2023 law governing the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and other Election Commissioners, calling for changes to ensure greater neutrality in the selection process.
Addressing a press conference, Reddy said the ruling party should not have the decisive say in appointing election officials at either the central or state level. He acknowledged that the YSRCP had supported the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, which he now believes requires reconsideration.
“We are regretting the mistake we made by supporting it,” Reddy said, referring to the party's earlier backing of the appointment mechanism.
Comparing the process to an examination, he argued that an examiner should not be appointed by the student. He said even an impartial official could face questions about credibility if the appointment process was not overseen by a neutral body.
Reddy called for restoring a selection panel comprising the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India. He argued that including the Chief Justice would help ensure neutrality.
Under the current arrangement, the selection committee comprises the Prime Minister, a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. Reddy said the government's two representatives could outvote the Opposition representative, giving the ruling establishment a decisive role in the selection.
He also demanded reforms to the appointment of State Election Commissioners, arguing that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) should not control the process.
Reddy made the remarks after meeting State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha to complain about alleged attempts by the TDP-led coalition government to prevent YSRCP candidates from filing nominations for upcoming local body elections.
He alleged that Punetha was acting on the Chief Minister's directions, noting that the State Election Commissioner had been appointed by Naidu.