Demands CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s Resignation
New Delhi/Wayanad: The political controversy over the functioning and constitutional neutrality of the Election Commission of India (ECI) has intensified. Congress general secretary and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has launched a direct attack on Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, alleging that he is working in favour of a particular political party. Describing the matter as “illegal and unethical,” Priyanka Gandhi has demanded that the Chief Election Commissioner resign with immediate effect.
Speaking to the media on Sunday, Priyanka Gandhi said institutions and constitutional authorities entrusted with conducting the country’s electoral process in a transparent and impartial manner must remain neutral. She said any perceived tilt towards a particular political party poses a serious challenge to democratic institutions.
“People Holding Constitutional Posts Are Engaging in Political Promotion”: Priyanka Gandhi
Questioning the autonomy of the Election Commission, Priyanka Gandhi said:
Alleged political bias: “People who are responsible for running the country’s electoral system and institutions impartially should not have any inclination towards any political party. Unfortunately, today, some people holding top positions in the Commission are not only showing a bias towards political parties but are also promoting them.”
Questions over free and fair elections: She questioned how free, fair and transparent elections could be ensured if the head of the institution responsible for conducting elections were to adopt what she described as a partisan approach.
Allegations of unconstitutional actions: The Congress MP alleged that this was not an isolated incident and claimed that CEC Gyanesh Kumar had taken several actions that were “illegal and unconstitutional,” thereby undermining the credibility of democratic institutions. She said he had no moral right to continue in office and should resign immediately.
Political Row Intensifies Following Media Investigation
The Opposition’s latest criticism comes after an investigative report by The Indian Express alleged that there had been internal disagreements within the Election Commission over several issues.
Disagreement among commissioners: According to the report, Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had formally recorded objections on multiple occasions over policy and procedural decisions linked to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and other changes. The Indian Express reported at least 14 such objections over a 10-month period.
Allegations of unilateral decisions: Opposition parties have alleged that CEC Gyanesh Kumar disregarded the objections raised by the other two commissioners and issued directions in the name of the Commission without their approval.
The Election Commission, however, has rejected the suggestion of a split within the poll panel. It has said that differences of opinion are part of the normal functioning of a multi-member constitutional body and maintained that all final decisions, including those concerning the SIR exercise, were taken unanimously with the approval of all three commissioners.
The controversy remains politically charged, with the Congress and other Opposition parties continuing to question the functioning of the Commission and demanding action against CEC Gyanesh Kumar. The Election Commission reiterated its position as recently as September 26, saying that major decisions, including the original SIR order and subsequent schedules, had received the Commission’s approval.
