Stop Ruling Party Control: Jagan Demands Transparent CEC Appointment
YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy calls for an end to ruling parties selecting the CEC, proposing a panel with the CJI and LoP.
YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has sounded the alarm over the current method of appointing the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC). In a strong push for systemic reform, Reddy asserted that the tradition of ruling parties hand-picking the head of the election body must end to safeguard democratic integrity.
A New Blueprint for Selection
Addressing a press conference on Sunday, the YSRCP leader argued that the existing system is flawed and lacks the necessary impartiality. He revealed that while his party had supported the current mechanism in the past, they have now officially withdrawn that support.
To ensure that democratic institutions maintain public confidence and function effectively, Reddy proposed a collaborative selection process. He suggested that the appointment of the CEC should involve a high-level panel consisting of:
- The Prime Minister
- The Leader of the Opposition
- The Chief Justice of India
"There must be changes in the system. The practice of ruling parties selecting the Chief Election Commissioner must come to an end," Reddy stated, emphasizing the need for a proper, impartial system.
Allegations of Election Interference
Beyond the appointment of the CEC, the former Chief Minister raised serious concerns regarding the conduct of current election proceedings in Andhra Pradesh. He alleged that candidates from his party were being deliberately obstructed from filing their nominations.
To counter these alleged hurdles, Reddy demanded the immediate deployment of central forces and the installation of CCTV coverage throughout the entire election process to ensure transparency.
Meeting with State Election Commissioner
The YSRCP chief took these grievances directly to the State Election Commissioner (SEC), Anil Chandra Punetha, during a meeting in Vijayawada. Reddy informed the poll official about the difficulties his candidates were facing and presented evidence to support the claims of nomination blockage.
Following the meeting, Reddy told the media that he had received an assurance from the SEC that any individual willing to file a nomination would be granted the opportunity to do so. However, he remained skeptical about the current environment, stating bluntly, "There cannot be free and fair polls in this dispensation."
Reddy concluded by noting that the party has already lodged a formal complaint and intended to meet with the Governor later in the day to further discuss these issues.