Selection of New Election Commissioners

Election of New ECs

Under the new law, a three-member Selection Committee, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, selected the two ECs.
The Selection Committee chose from a shortlisted panel of six names, shortlisted by a committee headed by the Union Minister for Law and Justice.

History of the Process

Article 324 of the Constitution vests election superintendence in an Election Commission, which comprises the CEC and other ECs appointed by the President.
Until October 1989, the EC had only a CEC; multi-member status followed but was rescinded in January 1990.
A 1991 law fixed service conditions but lacked an appointment process, leaving the President to make appointments.
Conventionally, the Law Ministry presents a panel to the Prime Minister, who recommends an EC to the President, and senior ECs usually ascend to CEC.

Supreme Court Ruling

In Anoop Baranwal v. Union of India, a Constitution Bench ruled appointments should involve the PM, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha (or the largest opposition party leader), and the CJI.
Parliament enacted the 2023 Act in response, removing the CJI from the panel and adding a Union Minister.

Criticism

Critics argue the Act’s exclusion of the CJI from the panel gives the executive a two-to-one majority.
The government contends the Act maintains the CJI’s role as a stop-gap measure until a permanent law.

Conclusion

While aiming to formalize the appointment process, preserving the EC’s autonomy is vital for democratic integrity.

Equity Issue in IPCC Reports

IPCC Assessment Reports

Typically consist of three Working Group reports and one synthesis report, assessing scientific literature on climate change.
Currently in the Seventh Assessment cycle (AR7).

Accessing Future Scenarios

Uses Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs) to estimate pathways for limiting earth’s surface warming.
IAMs integrate various disciplines to provide policy-relevant guidelines for climate action.

Study Findings

Analyzed 556 scenarios in IPCC’s AR6 report, projecting continued disparities in income, energy use, and emissions between developed and developing countries up to 2050.
Per-capita GDP in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and West Asia projected to remain below global average by 2050.
Inequities observed in consumption of goods/services and energy/fossil fuels between Global North and South.
Developing countries forecasted to bear burden of both mitigation action and carbon dioxide removal.

Essentiality of Equity

UNFCCC enshrines principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities.
Recognizes richer countries’ greater capacity to undertake climate action.
IPCC scenarios often prioritize technical and economic feasibility over equity principles.
Equity implies developed regions should accelerate towards net negative emissions and share carbon budget with less developed regions.

Conclusion

IPCC scenarios need to prioritize both equity and environmental sustainability, as emphasized in the study.