LoP's presence in panel to pick CEC, ECs 'ornamental': SC judge

LoP's presence in panel to pick CEC, ECs 'ornamental': SC judge

Deliberating on the validity of the law on appointment of chief election commissioner and election commissioners by a panel of the PM, a cabinet minister and the leader of opposition, Justice Dipankar Datta on Wednesday pointed out drawbacks and said it gave "overwhelming" power to the executive and made the presence of the LoP "ornamental", undermining the appearance of independence in the selection process. He also noted that since independence, govts had tried to control the poll body.