NEW DELHI: The Centre has opposed a plea in the Supreme Court seeking to confer the rule-making authority on the Election Commission, on the lines of the Apex Court, to empower it to make election-related rules and code of conduct.
In an affidavit filed in the top court, the Ministry of Law and Justice has said that no change is required in the “existing regime” and the essential legislative functions cannot be delegated.
The Ministry has sought dismissal of the plea which has also sought steps to provide an independent secretariat to the Election Commission and declare its expenditure as charged on the Consolidated Fund of India on the lines of Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha secretariats.
Regarding the plea for a direction to the Centre not to remove two Election Commissioners from their office, except in a similar manner and grounds provided for removing the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), the Government has referred to an apex court verdict and said the independence of election commissioners was “guaranteed” and no change was required in it. (AGENCIES)
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