India, Oct. 5 -- Ever since the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023 altered the appointment mechanism in a manner that gives the ruling executive a decisive role in the selection of Election Commissioners, the credibility and institutional independence of the Election Commission of India (ECI) have been intensely questioned.

Section 16 of the same Act provides that no court shall entertain or continue civil or criminal proceedings against a current or former Chief Election Commissioner or Election Commissioner for acts, words or things done in the discharge, or purported discharge, of official duties. The provision contains no time limit on this p...