Priyanka Gandhi Demands Removal of Legal Safeguards for EC
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra calls for the removal of legal protections for Election Commissioners and demands CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation.
Congress Member of Parliament Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has launched a scathing attack on the current administration, demanding the immediate removal of legal safeguards provided to the Election Commissioner. Speaking to reporters in Malappuram on Saturday, Vadra alleged that these protections were specifically instituted by the current government to shield officials from accountability, regardless of their actions.
Allegations of Shielding Illegal Acts
The Congress leader argued that if any official is involved in illegal activities against the nation, they must face criminal proceedings rather than being protected by institutional barriers. "The legal safeguards provided to the Election Commissioner, which were instituted by this government, protect him no matter what he does," Vadra stated, emphasizing that such protections must be dismantled to ensure justice.
Vadra further escalated her criticism by demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. She suggested that the Election Commission might be aiding and abetting the BJP in rigging elections, noting that the commission often makes overconfident predictions regarding election results that do not align with the sentiment on the ground.
The INDIA Alliance Stands United
According to Vadra, the opposition's stance is not isolated but represents a unified front. She highlighted the following points regarding the opposition's position:
- The INDIA alliance is in complete agreement that current electoral processes are illegal.
- Every single leader and party within the alliance supports the demand for accountability.
- There is a collective call to take those responsible for irregularities to task.
- The discrepancy between public sentiment and election results has fueled deep mistrust.
Election Commission Responds to Controversy
The remarks come in the wake of a report by The Indian Express, which suggested internal friction within the Election Commission of India (ECI). The report alleged that two of the three Election Commissioners, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, had repeatedly objected to decisions and orders being issued without their knowledge, specifically regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.
The ECI has officially moved to clarify its position, issuing a statement to refute claims of internal dissent. The poll body maintained that:
- All decisions concerning the SIR schedule for electoral rolls were made with the unanimous approval of the Commission.
- A specific letter sent to the Cabinet Secretary concerned the functioning of an officer on deputation and was not a matter of poll body policy.
- The schedules for SIR in various States and Union Territories—including those issued in October 2025 and May 2026—were all approved unanimously.
The Commission remains firm that the order issued on June 24, 2025, which initiated the SIR process starting with Bihar and West Bengal, was a collective decision of the entire body.