What is the Election Commission of India?Know the Roles of ECI
The Election Commission of India (ECI) urging both the BJP and Congress to avoid divisive topics during the general election campaign is a classic case of better late than never. Lately, the ECI has let down the Indian electorate by failing to act effectively, impartially, and swiftly in its role as the guardian of elections. This shortfall partly stems from the process of appointing ECI members, a decision solely made by the executive, thus steeped in partisanship.
Recently, the ECI reached out to BJP president J.P. Nadda, advising the party’s “star campaigners” to avoid statements that “may divide the society.” This directive followed Nadda’s response to a notice concerning Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech in Banswara, Rajasthan, where Modi labeled Muslims as “infiltrators” and “people with more children.” Similarly, the ECI wrote to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, urging him to ensure that his party’s top campaigners avoid statements that could inflame tensions between different castes and communities. These admonitions from the ECI came a day after it censured Abhijit Gangopadhyay, a former Calcutta High Court judge turned BJP candidate, for his inflammatory remarks against Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee, resulting in a 24-hour ban from campaigning.
In earlier instances, the ECI took action against YSRCP chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, BRS chief K. Chandrashekar Rao, Telangana Minister Konda Surekha, BJP leaders Shobha Karandlaje and Dilip Ghosh, and Congress leaders Supriya Shrinate and Randeep Surjewala. Currently, complaints against U.P. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for alleged violations of the model code of conduct (MCC) remain unresolved.
While these actions may suggest impartiality, they fall short of addressing the core issue. The ECI appears to be creating a false equivalence between genuine policy debates that affect various social groups and outright xenophobic rhetoric aimed at polarizing society. The MCC should not be misused to stifle legitimate political discourse and disagreements, which are vital to the democratic process. Misuse of power and the incitement of social discord, however, are separate issues that need firm handling.
The integrity and credibility of the ECI are crucial to the legitimacy of elections. Ensuring its independence should be a top priority for all stakeholders in Indian democracy, especially political parties and the judiciary. The ECI’s role is far too critical to be left unchecked.
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