Rajya Sabha passes bill on appointment of CEC, ECs amid opposition walkout

Rajya Sabha passed a bill on the appointment of the CEC and election commissioners by a selection committee. Amendments were made to retain their status at par with Supreme Court judges. The bill provides protection to the CEC and ECs from civil or criminal proceedings for acts done in their official duties. The President can now make rules for their service conditions. The amendments also clarify the procedure for removal of the top three EC functionaries. The opposition claims that the bill makes the EC subservient to the executive and circumvents an SC judgment.