During a recent hearing, the Supreme Court of India questioned the independence of the Election Commission of India, emphasizing that it must not only be independent but also appear so to the public. The court wondered why an independent member could not be included in the three-member panel responsible for selecting Election Commissioners. This panel currently consists of the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition, and a Union Cabinet Minister, raising concerns about potential bias and executive control. Justice Dipankar Datta pointed out that while the Chief Justice of India is included in the selection of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Director, no such provision exists for the Election Commission, which is crucial for maintaining democracy. The Attorney General, R Venkataramani, defended the existing law, which was enacted following a Supreme Court judgment in the Anoop Baranwal case, but the bench expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of the current selection process in ensuring independence. The discussion reflects broader concerns regarding the integrity of electoral processes in India.