New Delhi, May 17 -- The Centre has told the Supreme Court that the Constitution does not mandate judicial representation on the Election Commission (EC) appointment committee and the inclusion of a member representing the judiciary is a "legislative choice, not a constitutional imperative".

The government said the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, does not intrude upon any functions of the EC.

The submissions were made in a counter-affidavit filed by the Centre in the apex court, which is hearing arguments on a batch of pleas challenging the constitutional validity of the 2023 law governing the appointment of the chief election commissioner (C...