The Congress party launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission (EC) on Saturday, accusing the poll panel of undermining the Constitution and insulting the voters on National Voters’ Day. The opposition party claimed that the Commission’s recent actions have made a “mockery” of democratic principles and compromised its professionalism and independence.
National Voters’ Day, celebrated since 2011 to commemorate the formation of the Election Commission on January 25, 1950, serves to honor India’s electoral democracy. However, Congress General Secretary for Communications, Jairam Ramesh, pointed out in a post on X that despite the self-congratulations associated with the occasion, the reality of the EC’s functioning under the current government cannot be ignored.
Mockery of the Constitution and Voters
Ramesh said, “There will be a lot of self-congratulation today but that will not obscure the fact that the Election Commission as it has been functioning makes a mockery of the Constitution and is an insult to the voters themselves.” He further stated that the professionalism and independence of the Election Commission have been severely compromised in the last decade, primarily due to the influence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
Historical Legacy of the Election Commission
Ramesh highlighted the pivotal role of the Election Commission’s first Chairman, Sukumar Sen, in laying the foundation for India’s electoral democracy. “Sukumar Sen’s ‘Report on the First General Elections in India 1951-52’ remains a classic,” Ramesh noted, adding that Sen’s leadership in preparing the electoral rolls for the first general elections was crucial in shaping the nation’s democratic process.
The Congress leader also pointed to the contributions of other distinguished Chief Election Commissioners (CECs), particularly TN Seshan, whose efforts were instrumental in strengthening the institution.
Allegations of Partisanship
Ramesh sharply criticized the recent actions of the Election Commission, alleging that its independence has been undermined by the current political leadership. “Over the past decade, the professionalism and independence of the Election Commission have been severely compromised by the PM-HM duo,” Ramesh remarked.
He specifically cited the EC’s stance on concerns raised about the assembly elections in Haryana and Maharashtra, calling it “shockingly partisan” and alleging that some of the Commission’s recent decisions are currently under challenge in the Supreme Court.
A Call for Accountability
While National Voters’ Day is meant to celebrate the integrity of India’s electoral process, Congress’s criticism of the Election Commission underlines a growing concern over the independence of key democratic institutions. The party’s sharp remarks aim to hold the Commission accountable for what they see as a departure from the high standards set by its predecessors.
