Citizens' group urges President to restore Election Commission’s independence

By A Representative

In a strongly worded public appeal, Citizens for Democracy, a prominent civil society organisation, has urged the President of India to use her constitutional powers to safeguard the independence of the Election Commission of India (ECI) and restore its integrity. The appeal expresses deep concern over what it describes as the steady erosion of the ECI’s autonomy since 2014, alleging that the constitutional body has effectively become a department of the ruling government.

The appeal, signed by noted academics Anand Kumar and Shashi Shekhar Prasad Singh, highlights the controversial amendment to the process of appointing Election Commissioners. The Supreme Court had earlier recommended a neutral selection panel including the Chief Justice of India, but the government removed this clause, replacing the CJI with a minister nominated by the Prime Minister, thereby giving the ruling party a majority in the committee. According to the signatories, this change severely compromises the Commission's neutrality.

Citizens for Democracy also criticises the conduct of the civil servants appointed as Election Commissioners, arguing that many have failed in their constitutional duty by aligning with the political interests of the incumbent regime. The group warns that this politicisation of bureaucracy may threaten the foundational democratic processes of the nation.

The appeal lists a series of incidents in which the Commission allegedly failed to act against high-profile leaders of the ruling party, including the Prime Minister, for communal and divisive rhetoric during election campaigns. It further claims that the ECI selectively targets opposition parties for minor infractions while ignoring major violations by the ruling party.

The organisation also raised concerns over the recent Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls in Bihar, which is currently under scrutiny by the Supreme Court. It argued that the exercise appears to be designed to curtail the voting rights of the poor, amounting to an indirect attack on universal adult franchise—one of the pillars of Indian democracy.

Citing the need for sweeping electoral reforms, the group called for revamping not only the appointment process but also restoring transparency in voter lists, revisiting the electronic voting system, addressing black money in elections, and ensuring internal democracy within political parties. However, it asserted that none of these reforms would have any real impact unless the ECI’s independence is first re-established.

The appeal concludes with an emotional request to President Droupadi Murmu, invoking her personal journey from humble beginnings to the highest office in the country. It calls upon her to act independently under Article 53 of the Constitution to defend democracy, stating that the President’s moral responsibility transcends political expediency and calls for action in times of constitutional crisis.

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