The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a plea filed by the Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR) on March 15th, seeking to restrain fresh appointments to the Election Commission of India (ECI) under the new law. This development comes amidst two vacancies in the three-member poll panel, arising from the retirement of Anup Chandra Pandey in February and the sudden resignation of Arun Goel.

A high-level committee, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is expected to convene this week to select the election commissioner to fill the position vacated by Pandey’s resignation, as disclosed by a source familiar with the matter.

Under the new legislation, the selection panel comprises a Union minister and the Leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, as its members. This move sets the stage for a significant decision impacting the future composition of the Election Commission of India.