So the Election Commission appointed under this act lacks credibility?

checkthis · automated fact-check · How we check · Reel by @sivankannan_irs

Re-checked 28 Oct 2026: first published as Half the story, now Mostly true.

The bill's legislative timeline and mass opposition suspensions are accurate, but a brief debate did occur in the Lok Sabha rather than no debate at all. The Chief Election Commissioner Act was introduced in August 2023 and passed by the Rajya Sabha on December 12, 2023. On December 21, 2023, the Lok Sabha passed the bill following a brief debate with participation from major opposition parties, despite 97 opposition MPs being suspended (The New Indian Express). The Hindu reports that the Supreme Court later questioned whether proper parliamentary debate occurred during the law's passage.

4 claims checked
4 sources
Checked 28 Oct 2026
Main source: Microsoft Word - Suppliment Synopsis _E_ dated 12-12-2023

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The Reel we checked

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The Supreme Court asked whether proper parliamentary debate was conducted prior to passing the CEC/EC appointments law following the suspension of opposition MPs.

“SC asks if “ethos” of its 2023 judgment was reflected in parliamentary debate on Bill returning appointment power to the political executive; lawyers note mass suspension of Opposition MPs before debate” Supreme Court asks if there was a 'proper debate' in Parliament before enacting CEC/EC appointments law - The Hindu, 2026-05-07

What we checked

On August 10, 2023, the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act was introduced in the Rajya Sabha.“The Bill was introduced in the Parliament on 10-08-2023”Lok Sabha passes CEC and other EC (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023 | SCC Blog

The bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha on December 12, 2023, without modification and despite requests to refer it to a select committee.“The Rajya Sabha on December 12 passed the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment,”Rajya Sabha passes Bill to appoint Chief Election Commissioner, Election Commissioners - The Hindu + 1 more

On December 21, 2023, the bill was passed in the Lok Sabha through a voice vote without debate while opposition members were suspended.Except: The New Indian Express reported that a brief debate took place in the Lok Sabha on December 21, 2023, with participation from major opposition political parties, despite 97 opposition members being su“Major opposition political parties did take part in the debate on the bill, as 97 of their members have been suspended for "misconduct" for the remainder of the winter session.”Parliament passes bill on appointment of CEC, election commissioners

The bill received presidential assent on December 28, 2023.No reliable source found for this yet.

What the Reel doesn't tell you

The Central government stated that the 2023 law was enacted pursuant to the Supreme Court's direction to frame legislation until Parliament passed a law (The New Indian Express).
The Supreme Court questioned whether proper debate occurred in Parliament regarding the Anoop Baranwal judgment during hearings on challenges to the 2023 law (The Hindu).
What can't be established: Whether the speaker's political commentary on the credibility of future Election Commissions is justified, as it represents a value judgement.

Short version

✅ MOSTLY TRUE 👉 The bill's legislative timeline and mass opposition suspensions are accurate, but a brief debate did occur in the Lok Sabha rather than no debate at all. 👉 The Chief Election Commissioner Act was introduced in August 2023 and passed by the Rajya Sabha on December 12, 2023. 🔎 Full check: send this Reel to @checkthis.chat