New Delhi, Feb. 15 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi are expected to meet on February 17 as party of the three-member selection panel to pick the successor for chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar, people familiar with the matter said on Friday.

The panel, which also comprises Union home minister Amit Shah, will meet at the Prime Minister's official residence ahead of the retirement of incumbent CEC Rajiv Kumar on February 18.

The panel will recommend a name from among the candidates shortlisted by a search committee. The President will then appoint the next CEC based on the recommendation.

After Rajiv Kumar, Gyanesh Kumar is the senior-most election commissioner. His tenure is ti...