Centre Considering Amending Controversial Bill To Appoint Poll Panel Chief: Sources

Parliament special session: Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi, while speaking to the media after the all-party meeting ahead of the special session of the parliament, did not mention the bill.

The controversial bill for the appointment of top election officers was not included in the list of eight bills given to the opposition by the government in the all-party meeting on Sunday, sources said. The meeting was held on the eve of the five-day special session of the parliament. 

Sources in the government said they are considering amending the bill -- the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill. 

There is opposition to the bill as it strips the Chief Election Commissioner and other election commissioners of the status of Supreme Court judges. It proposes that the salary, allowance, and service conditions of the CEC and other ECs will be the same as that of the Cabinet Secretary, which was also opposed by the opposition in the all-party meeting yesterday.