An NGO has petitioned the Supreme Court, arguing that the appointment of Arun Goel as Election Commissioner is “arbitrary and in violation of the institution’s integrity and independence.”
The petition, which was filed by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), stated that a constitution bench of the Supreme Court, which had ruled on March 2 that the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners must be appointed by a panel consisting of the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, and Chief Justice of India, had reviewed the files pertaining to Goel’s appointment and found “glaring arbitrariness.”
The non-governmental organisation asserted that the Union of India and Goel “participated in a carefully orchestrated selection procedure for their own benefit’ through their omissions and commissions.”
ADR argued that “the issue is not Mr. Goel’s qualifications” but rather the “independence and credibility of the Election Commission, which has been damaged by the manner in which Mr. Goel was appointed.”
