Rahul Gandhi questions new EC law: CJI out of panel, immunity granted.

• Rahul Gandhi criticized the government for removing the Chief Justice of India from the Election Commissioner selection panel and questioned the new law granting immunity to ECs.
• The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, changed the selection panel to include the Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition, and a Union Cabinet Minister, replacing the CJI.
• Section 16 of the 2023 Act grants legal immunity to the CEC and ECs for actions taken during their official duties, protecting them from civil or criminal proceedings.
• Historically, the Election Commission evolved from a single-member body in 1950 to a three-member body (one CEC and two ECs) by 1993.
• Prior to the 2023 Act, the Supreme Court, in the Anoop Baranwal case, mandated an interim selection committee including the PM, LoP, and CJI to ensure independence, until Parliament legislated.

Why It Matters: New law alters Election Commissioner appointments, raising independence concerns.