"Gyanesh Kumar doesn't represent people but government": Rohit Pawar calls for abolishing EVMs
NCP(SP) leader Rohit Pawar attacks the Election Commission, alleging bias and calling for the abolition of EVMs and structural reforms.
In a stinging critique of India's electoral watchdog, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) MLA Rohit Pawar has accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of functioning as an arm of the central government rather than a neutral constitutional body. Speaking on Saturday, the legislator targeted Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, suggesting that the current leadership has drifted away from the constitutional mandate of representing the citizens.
Allegations of compromised neutrality
Pawar highlighted a perceived shift in how the Election Commission operates compared to its historical precedents. He argued that while past commissioners were seen as guardians of the Constitution and the people, the current administration under Gyanesh Kumar appears to serve the interests of the ruling government.
"The Election Commission is a constitutional body. Its head is not a representative of the government; rather, they represent the people of India," Pawar stated. He further alleged, "In the current situation, Gyanesh Kumar does not represent the people; if he represents anyone, it is the Government of India."
The 2023 appointment law under fire
A significant portion of Pawar's attack was directed at the legislative changes made in 2023 regarding the appointment of Election Commissioners. He pointed out that the removal of the Chief Justice of India (CJI) from the selection panel has fundamentally altered the balance of power.
According to the NCP(SP) leader, the original structure—consisting of the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, and the CJI—ensured a bipartisan and judicial check. However, with the CJI being replaced by a cabinet minister, Pawar questioned the legitimacy of the current selection process, suggesting it now boils down to a choice between the Prime Minister, the Home Minister, and the Leader of the Opposition.
Calls for systemic overhaul and EVM abolition
Rather than merely calling for individual resignations, Pawar advocated for a much broader movement aimed at structural and technical reform. His demands included:
- Abolishing Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs): Pawar suggested that a movement should be launched to move away from EVMs entirely.
- Structural Transparency: He called for intense agitation to ensure greater transparency in the electoral process.
- Reversing Immunity Laws: The legislator criticized recent amendments that grant immunity to top poll officials, claiming these changes were designed to shield the Chief Election Commissioner from accountability for future misconduct.
Context of the controversy
These remarks follow reports suggesting internal friction within the Election Commission. A report by The Indian Express indicated that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections at least 14 times over a ten-month period regarding specific decisions and procedures related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
The Election Commission has dismissed claims of dissent, maintaining that decisions regarding the SIR schedule were unanimous. In a press release, the ECI clarified that communications sent to the Cabinet Secretary concerned the functioning of an officer on deputation rather than any fundamental policy matters. The Commission also noted that Booth Level Officers (BLOs) would be conducting home visits to resolve discrepancies in voter mapping, with hearings being held online in exceptional circumstances as per Supreme Court-upheld guidelines.