On Thursday, the Supreme Court constitutional bench said that the President of India would appoint the election commissioners on the advice of the Prime Minister, the opposition leader in the lower house of Parliament and the Chief Justice of India.

Reading his judgment, Justice KM Joseph said the rule would remain in place until Parliament enacted a law.

“Any procedure aimed at improving the electoral process in this court must be considered,” said the bench, comprising Justices KM Joseph, Ajay Rastogi, Aniruddha Bose, Hrishikesh Roy and CT Ravikumar.

According to a report by LiveLaw, the judge said the EC is obliged to act fairly and legally and must abide by the provisions of the Constitution and the directions of the courts.

“Democracy and the power of the people are inexplicably intertwined. If held freely and fairly, democracy promotes peaceful revolutions in the hands of ordinary people,” it said.

In the order, the Supreme Court also lamented the impartiality of the media.

“A large portion of the media has abandoned its role and become partisan,” LiveLaw quoted the verdict.

In addition, Rastogi said the procedure for recalling the Election Commission must be the same as that of the chief electoral commissioner.