Poll panel to discuss statute change to discuss EC removal

The three-member Election Commission will meet shortly to discuss amendment of the Constitution to see that the CEC does not have the power of removing an Election Commissioner against the backdrop of the unprecedented recommendation against Naveen Chawla last year.

The three-member Election Commission will meet shortly to discuss amendment of the Constitution to see that the CEC does not have the power of removing an Election Commissioner against the backdrop of the unprecedented recommendation against Naveen Chawla last year.

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Chief Election Commissioner Navin Chawla, against whom his predecessor N Gopalaswami made a recommendation for his removal last year, says that the CEC does not have such a power and the Constitution should reflect that position.

As the Commission celebrates the Diamond Jubilee on Monday, he feels that a multi-member Commission is "ideal" on several grounds.

"I don't believe that I have the power. I have the power only of consensus. We are a three-member Commission. Only for administrative reasons, there is a CEC. Otherwise our powers are completely equal," he told PTI in an interview.

Asked what has been the government's reaction to his view on the issue, Chawla, who will demit office in July after more than a year as CEC, said he has still not written to the government.

"I propose to consider that (writing to the government)after the Diamond Jubilee celebrations. I have not written yet. We have to discuss it in the Commission," he said.