The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has condemned the Modi government's attempts to control the Election Commission of India (ECI). In a statement, the CPI(M) said that the government's actions are a "threat to Indian democracy" and that they must be "resisted by all democratic forces".
The CPI(M) pointed out that the government has been trying to undermine the independence of the ECI in a number of ways. In 2022, the government amended the Election Laws (Amendment) Act, 2019 to give itself the power to appoint the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC). Previously, the CEC was appointed by a committee consisting of the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and the Chief Justice of India. The amendment gives the government the power to appoint a CEC who is sympathetic to its views, and who may be more likely to interfere in the ECI's work.
The government has also been trying to pressure the ECI to make decisions that are favorable to the BJP. In 2023, the ECI was asked to defer the elections to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). The government argued that the MCD elections should be deferred because of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the ECI refused to defer the elections, stating that there was no evidence that the pandemic would prevent the conduct of free and fair elections.
The CPI(M) said that the government's attempts to control the ECI are a "clear violation of the Constitution" and that they are "a threat to the very foundations of Indian democracy". The party called on all democratic forces to "resist these attempts by the government" and to "uphold the independence of the ECI".
The CPI(M) also pointed out that the government's actions are part of a wider pattern of authoritarian behavior. The party said that the government has been trying to undermine the independence of other institutions, such as the judiciary and the media. The CPI(M) warned that if the government is allowed to continue its authoritarian streak, it will pose a serious threat to Indian democracy.
The CPI(M)'s statement is a timely reminder of the importance of independent institutions in a democracy. The ECI is one of the most important institutions in India, and its independence is essential for ensuring free and fair elections. The government's attempts to control the ECI must be resisted by all democratic forces.
