He has called for reforms to ensure a neutral selection process. YSRCP president and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has admitted his party made a mistake by supporting the 2023 amendment that governed the appointment of the chief election commissioner (CEC) and other election commissioners.
But today, we regret giving that support. “The state election commission should not be appointed by the chief minister or the ruling government. The 2023 amendment to the law ensured that election commissioners are selected by a panel comprising the prime minister, a cabinet minister nominated by the PM and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. Earlier reporting noted: Jagan Reddy regrets backing 2023 law on Election Commissioner appointments, accuses TDP of poll interference YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Sunday said he regretted supporting the 2023 law governing the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners, arguing that the ruling party should not control the selection of officials responsible for overseeing elections. Earlier reporting noted: Reddy said the YSRCP had previously supported the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, which provides for the appointment of election commissioners.
We made a mistake,” he said. “An examiner cannot be appointed by the student,” he said, adding that even an honest election commissioner could face criticism if the appointment was not made by a neutral body. It should be appointed by somebody neutral,” he said.
“Earlier, YSRCP supported this process of allowing the ruling party to make appointments. Earlier reporting noted: Addressing a press conference after meeting Andhra Pradesh State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha, Reddy also accused the Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led coalition government of preventing opposition candidates from filing nominations for the upcoming local body elections.
He called for the return of the previous panel, which used to comprise the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition and the Chief Justice of India (CJI).
Reddy said that the ruling establishment should not have a decisive advantage in appointing officials responsible for conducting elections.
