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| image = Gyanesh Kumar at India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management 2025 (cropped).jpg | | image = Gyanesh Kumar at India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management 2025 (cropped).jpg | ||
| alt = | | alt = | ||
| incumbent = [[Gyanesh Kumar]] | | incumbent = [[Gyanesh Kumar]]<ref>{{Cite news |title=Gyanesh Kumar appointed 26th Chief Election Commissioner |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/gyanesh-kumar-appointed-26th-chief-election-commissioner/articleshow/118335153.cms |access-date=2025-02-18 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> | ||
| incumbentsince = 19 February 2025 | | incumbentsince = 19 February 2025 | ||
| style = | | style = | ||
| Line 25: | Line 25: | ||
| nominatorpost = | | nominatorpost = | ||
| appointer = [[President of India]] | | appointer = [[President of India]] | ||
| termlength = 6 years or up to 65 years of age | | termlength = 6 years or up to 65 years of age<br /> <small>(whichever is prior)</small> | ||
| inaugural = [[Sukumar Sen (civil servant)|Sukumar Sen]] | | inaugural = [[Sukumar Sen (civil servant)|Sukumar Sen]] | ||
| formation = | | formation = | ||
| Line 31: | Line 31: | ||
| abolished = | | abolished = | ||
| succession = | | succession = | ||
| deputy = [[Election Commissioners of India]] | | deputy = [[Election Commissioners of India]]<br />Deputy Election Commissioners of India | ||
| salary = {{INRConvert|250|k}} | | salary = {{INRConvert|250|k}} <small>per month</small><ref name="EC1991"/><ref name="HC"/> | ||
| website = {{URL|https://eci.gov.in/|Election Commission of India}} | | website = {{URL|https://eci.gov.in/|Election Commission of India}} | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{Politics of India}} | {{Politics of India}} | ||
{{Elections}} | {{Elections}} | ||
The '''chief election commissioner of India''' ('''CEC''') heads the [[Election Commission of India]], a body constitutionally empowered to conduct free and fair elections. An election commissioner is appointed by the [[president of India]] on the recommendation of a three-member selection committee headed by the [[Prime Minister of India|prime minister]] and consisting of the [[Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha|leader of the opposition]] and a Union Cabinet minister. | The '''chief election commissioner of India''' ('''CEC''') heads the [[Election Commission of India]], a body constitutionally empowered to conduct free and fair elections. An election commissioner is appointed by the [[president of India]] on the recommendation of a three-member selection committee headed by the [[Prime Minister of India|prime minister]] and consisting of the [[Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha|leader of the opposition]] and a Union Cabinet minister.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chakrabarty |first1=Sreeparna |title=Bill introduced to remove CJI from panel to select Election Commissioners |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/bill-moved-to-remove-cji-from-panel-to-select-election-commissioners/article67180873.ece |access-date=7 September 2025 |work=The Hindu |date=10 August 2023 |language=en-IN}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Chakrabarty |first1=Sreeparna |title=PM Modi, LoP Rahul Gandhi to meet on Feb 17 to name CEC Rajiv Kumar’s successor |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/panel-with-pm-modi-lop-rahul-gandhi-to-meet-next-week-to-name-cec-rajiv-kumars-successor/article69219149.ece |access-date=7 September 2025 |work=The Hindu |date=14 February 2025 |language=en-IN}}</ref> | ||
The term of a CEC can be a maximum of six years or until they attain sixty-five years of age. The chief election commissioner is usually a member of the [[Civil Services of India|Indian Civil Service]] and mostly from the [[Indian Administrative Service]]. | The term of a CEC can be a maximum of six years or until they attain sixty-five years of age. The chief election commissioner is usually a member of the [[Civil Services of India|Indian Civil Service]] and mostly from the [[Indian Administrative Service]]. | ||
The chief election commissioner is placed at 9A position in the [[order of precedence in India]] along with the chairperson of [[Union Public Service Commission]] and the [[Comptroller and Auditor General of India|comptroller and auditor general of India]]. | The chief election commissioner is placed at 9A position in the [[order of precedence in India]] along with the chairperson of [[Union Public Service Commission]] and the [[Comptroller and Auditor General of India|comptroller and auditor general of India]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Table of Precedence |url=https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/2023-01/table_of_precedence%5B1%5D.pdf |website=mha.gov.in |publisher=Ministry of Home Affairs |access-date=7 September 2025}}</ref> | ||
== Role and powers == | == Role and powers == | ||
Chief election commissioner of India (CEC) heads the [[Election Commission of India]], a body constitutionally empowered to conduct free and fair elections to the [[Parliament of India|national legislature]], state legislatures, [[President of India|president]] and [[Vice-President of India|vice-president]]. This power of the Election Commission of India is derived from the [[Part XV of the Constitution of India|Article 324]] of the [[Constitution of India]]. | Chief election commissioner of India (CEC) heads the [[Election Commission of India]], a body constitutionally empowered to conduct free and fair elections to the [[Parliament of India|national legislature]], state legislatures, [[President of India|president]] and [[Vice-President of India|vice-president]]. This power of the Election Commission of India is derived from the [[Part XV of the Constitution of India|Article 324]] of the [[Constitution of India]].<ref name="CEC">{{cite web|url=https://www.ceoandaman.nic.in/election/gfaq.php|title=Election, FAQ|publisher=Government of India|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref> The chief election commissioner is usually a member of the [[Civil Services of India|Indian Civil Service]] and mostly from the [[Indian Administrative Service]]. The Election Commission of India consists of a chief election commissioner and two election commissioners. The chief election commissioner does not have overruling powers and any decision is taken by the opinion of the majority among the three.<ref name="CEC"/> | ||
== Appointment and term of office == | == Appointment and term of office == | ||
The appointment and term of the chief election commissioner are prescribed in the [[Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023]]. As per Section 7 of the act, an election commissioner is appointed by the president of India on the recommendation of a selection committee headed by the [[Prime Minister of India|prime minister]] and consisting of the [[Leader of the Opposition (India)|leader of the opposition]] in [[Lok Sabha]] and a member of the [[Union Council of Ministers]] to be nominated by the prime minister. | The appointment and term of the chief election commissioner are prescribed in the [[Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023]]. As per Section 7 of the act, an election commissioner is appointed by the president of India on the recommendation of a selection committee headed by the [[Prime Minister of India|prime minister]] and consisting of the [[Leader of the Opposition (India)|leader of the opposition]] in [[Lok Sabha]] and a member of the [[Union Council of Ministers]] to be nominated by the prime minister.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/sc-refuses-to-stay-new-law-on-appointment-of-cec-ecs-by-panel-excluding-cji-issues-notice/articleshow/107659220.cms?from=mdr|title=SC refuses to stay new law on appointment of CEC and ECs, issues notice to Centre|date=13 February 2024|access-date=1 April 2024|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]}}</ref> The senior most member of the election commission is appointed as the chief election commissioner by the president.<ref name="CEC"/> | ||
The term of the CEC can be a maximum of six years from the date on which they assume their office. However, the CEC retires from office if they attain the age of sixty-five years before the expiry of the term. | The term of the CEC can be a maximum of six years from the date on which they assume their office. However, the CEC retires from office if they attain the age of sixty-five years before the expiry of the term.<ref name="CEC"/> | ||
The CEC can be removed from the office through the process of impeachment, requiring a two-thirds majority of the Lok Sabha and the [[Rajya Sabha]] to be present and voting for the same. | The CEC can be removed from the office through the process of impeachment, requiring a two-thirds majority of the Lok Sabha and the [[Rajya Sabha]] to be present and voting for the same.<ref name="CEC"/> | ||
== Compensation == | == Compensation == | ||
As per the ''Election Commission (Condition Of Service Of Election Commissions And Transaction Of Business) Act, 1991'', the salary of the chief election commissioner is the same as salary of a judge of [[Supreme Court of India]]. | As per the ''Election Commission (Condition Of Service Of Election Commissions And Transaction Of Business) Act, 1991'', the salary of the chief election commissioner is the same as salary of a judge of [[Supreme Court of India]].<ref name="EC1991">{{cite web|title=Election Commission (Condition Of Service Of Election Commissions And Transaction Of Business) Act, 1991|url=http://vakilno1.com/bareacts/Laws/Election-Commission-Condition-Of-Service-Of-Election-Commissions-And-Transaction-Of-Business-Act-1991.htm|publisher=Vakil No. 1|access-date=17 September 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130123122252/http://vakilno1.com/bareacts/Laws/Election-Commission-Condition-Of-Service-Of-Election-Commissions-And-Transaction-Of-Business-Act-1991.htm|archive-date=23 January 2013}}</ref> The CEC draws a monthly salary of {{INRConvert|250|k|lk=}} plus allowances.<ref name="EC1991"/><ref name="HC">{{cite web|title=The High Court and Supreme Court Judges Salaries and Conditions of Service Amendment Bill 2008|url=http://www.prsindia.org/uploads/media/1230018357/1230018357_The_High_Court_and_Supreme_Court_Judges__Salaries_and_Conditions_of_Service__Amendment_Bill__2008.pdf|publisher=PRS India|access-date=17 September 2012|archive-date=22 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822023037/http://www.prsindia.org/uploads/media/1230018357/1230018357_The_High_Court_and_Supreme_Court_Judges__Salaries_and_Conditions_of_Service__Amendment_Bill__2008.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> | ||
==List of chief election commissioners== | ==List of chief election commissioners== | ||
The following have held the post of the chief election commissioner of India. | The following have held the post of the chief election commissioner of India.<ref>{{cite web|title=Former Chief Election Commissioners|url=https://eci.gov.in/former-cec-ec/|publisher=[[Election Commission of India]]|access-date=19 May 2022}}</ref> | ||
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;" | {| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;" | ||
| Line 203: | Line 203: | ||
|[[Nasim Zaidi]] | |[[Nasim Zaidi]] | ||
|[[File:Dr. Syed Nasim Ahmad Zaidi assumes the charge as the Election Commissioner of India, in New Delhi on August 07, 2012.jpg|75px]] | |[[File:Dr. Syed Nasim Ahmad Zaidi assumes the charge as the Election Commissioner of India, in New Delhi on August 07, 2012.jpg|75px]] | ||
|19 April 2015 | |19 April 2015<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main1/election_comission.aspx|title=Election Commission of India|website=ECI.nic.in|access-date=11 June 2017}}</ref> | ||
|5 July 2017 | |5 July 2017 | ||
|2 years 77 days | |2 years 77 days | ||
| Line 210: | Line 210: | ||
|[[Achal Kumar Jyoti]] | |[[Achal Kumar Jyoti]] | ||
|[[File:Shri Achal Kumar Joti taking charge as the Chief Election Commissioner of India (CEC), in New Delhi on July 06, 2017 (1) (cropped).jpg|75px]] | |[[File:Shri Achal Kumar Joti taking charge as the Chief Election Commissioner of India (CEC), in New Delhi on July 06, 2017 (1) (cropped).jpg|75px]] | ||
|6 July 2017 | |6 July 2017<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/india-chief-election-commissioner-achal-kumar-jyoti-to-take-charge-on-july-6-1022011-2017-07-02|title=India's new Chief Election Commissioner Achal Kumar Jyoti to take charge on 6 July|date=3 July 2017|editor-last=Borgohain|editor-first=Sonalee|website=[[India Today]]|access-date=2 September 2017}}</ref> | ||
|22 January 2018 | |22 January 2018 | ||
|{{ayd|2017|7|6|2018|1|22}} | |{{ayd|2017|7|6|2018|1|22}} | ||
| Line 217: | Line 217: | ||
|[[Om Prakash Rawat]] | |[[Om Prakash Rawat]] | ||
|[[File:Shri Om Prakash Rawat (cropped).jpg|75px]] | |[[File:Shri Om Prakash Rawat (cropped).jpg|75px]] | ||
|23 January 2018 | |23 January 2018<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/om-prakash-rawat-to-succeed-ak-joti-as-new-chief-election-commissioner-5033745/|title=Om Prakash Rawat to succeed AK Joti as new Chief Election Commissioner|date=21 January 2018|website=[[The Indian Express]]|publication-place=[[New Delhi]]|access-date=21 January 2018}}</ref> | ||
|1 December 2018 | |1 December 2018 | ||
|{{ayd|2018|1|23|2018|12|1}} | |{{ayd|2018|1|23|2018|12|1}} | ||
| Line 224: | Line 224: | ||
|[[Sunil Arora]] | |[[Sunil Arora]] | ||
|[[File:Media address by Chief Election Commissioner of India, Shri Sunil Arora on 2nd December 2018 (cropped).jpg|75px]] | |[[File:Media address by Chief Election Commissioner of India, Shri Sunil Arora on 2nd December 2018 (cropped).jpg|75px]] | ||
|2 December 2018 | |2 December 2018<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/president-kovind-appoints-sunil-arora-as-new-chief-election-commissioner-5465892/|title=President Kovind appoints Sunil Arora as new Chief Election Commissioner|date=2018-11-26|access-date=2018-11-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/sunil-arora-takes-over-as-chief-election-commissioner-will-oversee-2019-polls/story-xFbXfa07Z5CIX2NNBQWByO.html|title=Sunil Arora takes over as Chief Election Commissioner, will oversee 2019 polls|date=2018-12-02}}</ref> | ||
| 12 April 2021 | | 12 April 2021 | ||
|{{ayd|2018|12|2|2021|4|12}} | |{{ayd|2018|12|2|2021|4|12}} | ||
| Line 231: | Line 231: | ||
|[[Sushil Chandra]] | |[[Sushil Chandra]] | ||
| [[File:Sushil Chandra, Election Commissioner of India (cropped).jpg|75px]] | | [[File:Sushil Chandra, Election Commissioner of India (cropped).jpg|75px]] | ||
|13 April 2021 | |13 April 2021<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/sushil-chandra-appointed-chief-election-commissioner/article34303884.ece|title = Sushil Chandra appointed Chief Election Commissioner|newspaper = The Hindu|date = 12 April 2021|last1 = Nath|first1 = Damini}}</ref> | ||
|14 May 2022 | |14 May 2022 | ||
|{{ayd|2021|4|13|2022|5|14}} | |{{ayd|2021|4|13|2022|5|14}} | ||
| Line 238: | Line 238: | ||
|[[Rajiv Kumar (civil servant)|Rajiv Kumar]] | |[[Rajiv Kumar (civil servant)|Rajiv Kumar]] | ||
|[[File:Chief Election Commissioner of India Rajiv Kumar (cropped).jpg|75px]] | |[[File:Chief Election Commissioner of India Rajiv Kumar (cropped).jpg|75px]] | ||
|15 May 2022 | |15 May 2022<ref>{{cite news |title=Rajiv Kumar takes charge as 25th Chief Election Commissioner, says EC won't shy away from tough calls |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/rajiv-kumar-assumes-charge-as-chief-election-commissioner/article65416424.ece |access-date=19 May 2022 |work=The Hindu |date=15 May 2022 |language=en-IN}}</ref> | ||
|18 February 2025 | |18 February 2025 | ||
|{{Age in years and days|15 May 2022|18 February 2025}} | |{{Age in years and days|15 May 2022|18 February 2025}} | ||
| Line 245: | Line 245: | ||
|[[Gyanesh Kumar]] | |[[Gyanesh Kumar]] | ||
|[[File:Election Commissioner Shri Gyanesh Kumar.jpg|left|frameless|75x75px]] | |[[File:Election Commissioner Shri Gyanesh Kumar.jpg|left|frameless|75x75px]] | ||
|19 February 2025 | |19 February 2025<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/gyanesh-kumar-named-new-chief-election-commissioner-101739805476783.html|title=Gyanesh Kumar appointed next chief election commissioner|access-date=18 February 2024|date=18 February 2014|newspaper=[[The Hindustan Times]]}}</ref> | ||
|''Incumbent'' | |''Incumbent'' | ||
|{{Age in years and days|19 February 2025}} | |{{Age in years and days|19 February 2025}} | ||
| Line 251: | Line 251: | ||
== Reforms == | == Reforms == | ||
The Election Commission of India was a single member body till 1989 when two election commissioners were appointed to aid the chief election commissioner. | The Election Commission of India was a single member body till 1989 when two election commissioners were appointed to aid the chief election commissioner.<ref name="CEC"/> While the office has always been an important one in the machinery of the Indian political process, it gained significant public attention during the tenure of [[T.N. Seshan]], from 1990 to 1996.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Narasimhan|first1=T. E.|title=The more you kick me...|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/beyond-business/-the-more-you-kick-me-112051200032_1.html|access-date=9 August 2016|work=Business Standard|date=12 May 2012}}</ref> Seshan is widely credited with enforcing the powers of the election commission strongly and undertaking a zealous effort to end corruption and manipulation in Indian elections.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Das|first1=Sanjib Kumar|title=The man who cleaned up India's elections|url=http://gulfnews.com/culture/people/the-man-who-cleaned-up-india-s-elections-1.1326815|access-date=10 August 2016|work=Gulf News|date=1 May 2014}}</ref><ref name=india1>{{cite news|last1=Srivastava|first1=Ritesh K.(The Observer)|title=Empowering the EC|url=http://zeenews.india.com/blog/empowering-the-ec_658.html|access-date=19 December 2014|publisher=Zee News|date=5 March 2012}}</ref> | ||
In June 2012, former [[Deputy Prime Minister of India|deputy prime minister]] and former [[Leader of the Opposition (India)|leader of the opposition]] in [[Parliament of India|Indian Parliament]], [[Lal Krishna Advani]], suggested that appointment of CEC (as well as the [[Comptroller and Auditor General of India|comptroller and auditor general]] (CAG)) should be made by a [[bipartisan]] [[collegium]] consisting of the prime minister, the [[Chief Justice of India|chief justice]], the [[Ministry of Law and Justice (India)|law minister]] and the leaders of the opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. | In June 2012, former [[Deputy Prime Minister of India|deputy prime minister]] and former [[Leader of the Opposition (India)|leader of the opposition]] in [[Parliament of India|Indian Parliament]], [[Lal Krishna Advani]], suggested that appointment of CEC (as well as the [[Comptroller and Auditor General of India|comptroller and auditor general]] (CAG)) should be made by a [[bipartisan]] [[collegium]] consisting of the prime minister, the [[Chief Justice of India|chief justice]], the [[Ministry of Law and Justice (India)|law minister]] and the leaders of the opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.<ref>{{cite web|title=Members Bioprofile|url=http://164.100.47.132/LssNew/Members/Biography.aspx?mpsno=9|publisher=Lok Sabha of India/National Informatics Centre, New Delhi|access-date=27 April 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429080434/http://164.100.47.132/LssNew/Members/Biography.aspx?mpsno=9|archive-date=29 April 2011}}</ref><ref name="KA2">{{cite news|title=KA2|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Karunanidhi-backs-Advanis-view-on-collegium-to-appoint-CAG-Election-Commissioner/articleshow/13850538.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101092927/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-05/india/32055097_1_karunanidhi-backs-collegium-l-k-advani|url-status=live|archive-date=1 November 2013|access-date=5 October 2012|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=5 June 2012}}</ref> As per Advani, the demand was to remove any impression of bias or lack of transparency and fairness because the existent system was open to manipulation and [[partisanship]].<ref name="KA2"/><ref name="KA1"/> Subsequently, the former [[Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu|chief minister of Tamil Nadu]], [[M Karunanidhi]], also supported the suggestion.<ref name="KA1">{{cite news|title=Karunanidhi backs Advani's plea for collegium|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article3493632.ece|access-date=5 October 2012|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=5 June 2012|location=Chennai}}</ref> Similar recommendations were made by former CEC's such as [[B B Tandon]], [[N Gopalaswamy]] and [[S Y Quraishi]].<ref name="SYQ">{{cite news|title=SYQ|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Collegium-needed-to-select-EC-SY-Quraishi/articleshow/14974775.cms|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=16 July 2012|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Ex-CECs backed collegium, Law Ministry not too keen|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/excecs-backed-collegium-law-ministry-not-too-keen/960128/0|access-date=5 October 2012|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]|date=10 June 2012}}</ref> | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
Latest revision as of 12:27, 22 March 2026
| Chief Election Commissioner of India | |
|---|---|
 Logo of The Election Commission of India | |
| Election Commission of India | |
| Type | Chief Election Commissioner |
| Status | Head of the Election Commission of India |
| Nominator | Union Council of Ministers |
| Appointer | President of India |
| Term length | 6 years or up to 65 years of age (whichever is prior) |
| Inaugural holder | Sukumar Sen |
| Deputy | Election Commissioners of India Deputy Election Commissioners of India |
| Salary | ₹250,000 (US$3,500) per month[2][3] |
| Website | Election Commission of India |
.jpg)
 |
|---|
| This article is part of a series on the politics and government of India |
 India portal |
| Part of the Politics series |
| Elections |
|---|
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| Basic types |
| Terminology |
| Subseries |
| Lists |
| Related |
The chief election commissioner of India (CEC) heads the Election Commission of India, a body constitutionally empowered to conduct free and fair elections. An election commissioner is appointed by the president of India on the recommendation of a three-member selection committee headed by the prime minister and consisting of the leader of the opposition and a Union Cabinet minister.[4][5]
The term of a CEC can be a maximum of six years or until they attain sixty-five years of age. The chief election commissioner is usually a member of the Indian Civil Service and mostly from the Indian Administrative Service.
The chief election commissioner is placed at 9A position in the order of precedence in India along with the chairperson of Union Public Service Commission and the comptroller and auditor general of India.[6]
Role and powers[edit | edit source]
Chief election commissioner of India (CEC) heads the Election Commission of India, a body constitutionally empowered to conduct free and fair elections to the national legislature, state legislatures, president and vice-president. This power of the Election Commission of India is derived from the Article 324 of the Constitution of India.[7] The chief election commissioner is usually a member of the Indian Civil Service and mostly from the Indian Administrative Service. The Election Commission of India consists of a chief election commissioner and two election commissioners. The chief election commissioner does not have overruling powers and any decision is taken by the opinion of the majority among the three.[7]
Appointment and term of office[edit | edit source]
The appointment and term of the chief election commissioner are prescribed in the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023. As per Section 7 of the act, an election commissioner is appointed by the president of India on the recommendation of a selection committee headed by the prime minister and consisting of the leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha and a member of the Union Council of Ministers to be nominated by the prime minister.[8] The senior most member of the election commission is appointed as the chief election commissioner by the president.[7]
The term of the CEC can be a maximum of six years from the date on which they assume their office. However, the CEC retires from office if they attain the age of sixty-five years before the expiry of the term.[7]
The CEC can be removed from the office through the process of impeachment, requiring a two-thirds majority of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha to be present and voting for the same.[7]
Compensation[edit | edit source]
As per the Election Commission (Condition Of Service Of Election Commissions And Transaction Of Business) Act, 1991, the salary of the chief election commissioner is the same as salary of a judge of Supreme Court of India.[2] The CEC draws a monthly salary of ₹250,000 (US$3,500) plus allowances.[2][3]
List of chief election commissioners[edit | edit source]
The following have held the post of the chief election commissioner of India.[9]
| No. | Name | Portrait | Term of office | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sukumar Sen | File:Sukumar Sen.jpg | 21 March 1950 | 19 December 1958 | 8 years, 273 days |
| 2 | Kalyan Sundaram | 20 December 1958 | 30 September 1967 | 8 years, 284 days | |
| 3 | S. P. Sen Verma | 1 October 1967 | 30 September 1972 | 4 years, 365 days | |
| 4 | Nagendra Singh | 1 October 1972 | 6 February 1973 | 128 days | |
| 5 | T. Swaminathan | 7 February 1973 | 17 June 1977 | 4 years, 10 days | |
| 6 | S. L. Shakdhar | 18 June 1977 | 17 June 1982 | 4 years, 364 days | |
| 7 | R. K. Trivedi | 18 June 1982 | 31 December 1985 | 3 years, 196 days | |
| 8 | R. V. S. Peri Sastri | 1 January 1986 | 25 November 1990 | 4 years, 328 days | |
| 9 | V. S. Ramadevi | 
|
26 November 1990 | 11 December 1990 | 16
days |
| 10 | T. N. Seshan | 
|
12 December 1990 | 11 December 1996 | 6 years |
| 11 | M. S. Gill | 
|
12 December 1996 | 13 June 2001 | 4 years 69 days |
| 12 | J. M. Lyngdoh | 
|
14 June 2001 | 7 February 2004 | 2 years 269 days |
| 13 | T. S. Krishnamurthy | .jpg)
|
8 February 2004 | 15 May 2005 | 1 year 69 days |
| 14 | B. B. Tandon | 
|
16 May 2005 | 29 June 2006 | 269 days |
| 15 | N. Gopalaswami | .jpg)
|
30 June 2006 | 20 April 2009 | 2 years, 294 days |
| 16 | Navin Chawla | .jpg)
|
21 April 2009 | 29 July 2010 | 1 year 89 days |
| 17 | S. Y. Quraishi | .jpg)
|
30 July 2010 | 10 June 2012 | 1 year 316 days |
| 18 | V. S. Sampath | 
|
11 June 2012 | 15 January 2015 | 2 year 218 days |
| 19 | Harishankar Brahma | .jpg)
|
16 January 2015 | 18 April 2015 | 92 days |
| 20 | Nasim Zaidi | 
|
19 April 2015[10] | 5 July 2017 | 2 years 77 days |
| 21 | Achal Kumar Jyoti | ,_in_New_Delhi_on_July_06,_2017_(1)_(cropped).jpg)
|
6 July 2017[11] | 22 January 2018 | 200 days |
| 22 | Om Prakash Rawat | .jpg)
|
23 January 2018[12] | 1 December 2018 | 312 days |
| 23 | Sunil Arora | .jpg)
|
2 December 2018[13][14] | 12 April 2021 | 2 years, 131 days |
| 24 | Sushil Chandra | .jpg)
|
13 April 2021[15] | 14 May 2022 | 1 year, 31 days |
| 25 | Rajiv Kumar | .jpg)
|
15 May 2022[16] | 18 February 2025 | 2 years, 279 days |
| 26 | Gyanesh Kumar |  |
19 February 2025[17] | Incumbent | 1 year, 166 days |
Reforms[edit | edit source]
The Election Commission of India was a single member body till 1989 when two election commissioners were appointed to aid the chief election commissioner.[7] While the office has always been an important one in the machinery of the Indian political process, it gained significant public attention during the tenure of T.N. Seshan, from 1990 to 1996.[18] Seshan is widely credited with enforcing the powers of the election commission strongly and undertaking a zealous effort to end corruption and manipulation in Indian elections.[19][20]
In June 2012, former deputy prime minister and former leader of the opposition in Indian Parliament, Lal Krishna Advani, suggested that appointment of CEC (as well as the comptroller and auditor general (CAG)) should be made by a bipartisan collegium consisting of the prime minister, the chief justice, the law minister and the leaders of the opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.[21][22] As per Advani, the demand was to remove any impression of bias or lack of transparency and fairness because the existent system was open to manipulation and partisanship.[22][23] Subsequently, the former chief minister of Tamil Nadu, M Karunanidhi, also supported the suggestion.[23] Similar recommendations were made by former CEC's such as B B Tandon, N Gopalaswamy and S Y Quraishi.[24][25]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "Gyanesh Kumar appointed 26th Chief Election Commissioner". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 18 February 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Election Commission (Condition Of Service Of Election Commissions And Transaction Of Business) Act, 1991". Vakil No. 1. Archived from the original on 23 January 2013. Retrieved 17 September 2012.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "The High Court and Supreme Court Judges Salaries and Conditions of Service Amendment Bill 2008" (PDF). PRS India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 August 2017. Retrieved 17 September 2012.
- ↑ Chakrabarty, Sreeparna (10 August 2023). "Bill introduced to remove CJI from panel to select Election Commissioners". The Hindu. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
- ↑ Chakrabarty, Sreeparna (14 February 2025). "PM Modi, LoP Rahul Gandhi to meet on Feb 17 to name CEC Rajiv Kumar's successor". The Hindu. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
- ↑ "Table of Precedence" (PDF). mha.gov.in. Ministry of Home Affairs. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 "Election, FAQ". Government of India. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
- ↑ "SC refuses to stay new law on appointment of CEC and ECs, issues notice to Centre". The Economic Times. 13 February 2024. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
- ↑ "Former Chief Election Commissioners". Election Commission of India. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
- ↑ "Election Commission of India". ECI.nic.in. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
- ↑ Borgohain, Sonalee, ed. (3 July 2017). "India's new Chief Election Commissioner Achal Kumar Jyoti to take charge on 6 July". India Today. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
- ↑ "Om Prakash Rawat to succeed AK Joti as new Chief Election Commissioner". The Indian Express. New Delhi. 21 January 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
- ↑ "President Kovind appoints Sunil Arora as new Chief Election Commissioner". 26 November 2018. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
- ↑ "Sunil Arora takes over as Chief Election Commissioner, will oversee 2019 polls". 2 December 2018.
- ↑ Nath, Damini (12 April 2021). "Sushil Chandra appointed Chief Election Commissioner". The Hindu.
- ↑ "Rajiv Kumar takes charge as 25th Chief Election Commissioner, says EC won't shy away from tough calls". The Hindu. 15 May 2022. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
- ↑ "Gyanesh Kumar appointed next chief election commissioner". The Hindustan Times. 18 February 2014. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
- ↑ Narasimhan, T. E. (12 May 2012). "The more you kick me..." Business Standard. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
- ↑ Das, Sanjib Kumar (1 May 2014). "The man who cleaned up India's elections". Gulf News. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
- ↑ Srivastava, Ritesh K.(The Observer) (5 March 2012). "Empowering the EC". Zee News. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
- ↑ "Members Bioprofile". Lok Sabha of India/National Informatics Centre, New Delhi. Archived from the original on 29 April 2011. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 "KA2". The Times of India. 5 June 2012. Archived from the original on 1 November 2013. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 "Karunanidhi backs Advani's plea for collegium". The Hindu. Chennai. 5 June 2012. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
- ↑ "SYQ". The Times of India. 16 July 2012. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
- ↑ "Ex-CECs backed collegium, Law Ministry not too keen". The Indian Express. 10 June 2012. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
