The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India is appointed by the President of India. This appointment is made based on the recommendation of a three- member selection committee headed by the Prime Minister of India, which also includes the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister. The senior-most member of the Election Commission is then appointed as the Chief Election Commissioner by the President
. The CEC serves a term of up to six years or until the age of 65, whichever comes earlier
. The appointment process aims to ensure the independence and impartiality of the Election Commission, which is constitutionally empowered to conduct free and fair elections in India
