NEW DELHI: Kapil Sibal, a Rajya Sabha MP and senior lawyer, did not hold back as he described the Indian Election Commission as a "dysfunctional" and "failed" institution during a recent interview with the PTI news agency.
Sibal’s remarks resonate strongly with growing public disillusionment regarding the Commission's ability to uphold its constitutional duties. "The Election Commission is a dysfunctional body. It has not discharged its functions in accordance with the responsibilities expected of it under the Constitution," he asserted when questioned about ongoing allegations concerning irregularities in voter lists raised by the Congress and Trinamool Congress (TMC).
Highlighting a broader malaise, Sibal noted, "There is no confidence in the Election Commission among a large section of the people of this country. The quicker we deal with this issue, the greater is the chance of saving democracy." His comments throw light on a significant decline in public faith regarding the integrity of electoral processes. Issues purportedly go beyond just the functioning of electronic voting machines (EVMs), suggesting potential manipulation at various stages of the electoral process.
Sibal’s critiques arrive amid mounting concerns voiced by the Congress and other parties of the INDIA bloc regarding voter列表 discrepancies. Reports of abnormal additions, unexpected deletions, and duplicate voter ID numbers have ignited significant debate, prompting calls for immediate action on the part of the Election Commission.
In response to these ongoing issues, the Election Commission has initiated a proactive approach, announcing that over 4,000 electoral registration officers are currently conducting all-party meetings aimed at resolving pending polling booth-level problems across various assembly constituencies. This move is part of a broader effort to engage with political parties at multiple levels in order to adequately address rising complaints.
Moreover, the Election Commission is exploring further reforms, including the proposal to link voter ID cards with Aadhaar numbers, striving for greater accuracy and transparency in electoral rolls. This initiative also contemplates the involvement of birth and death registration authorities to enhance the cleaning up process of electoral lists, an essential step aimed at restoring public confidence.
As the political landscape evolves and elections draw nearer, Sibal's critical perspective raises an important question: can the Election Commission foster the necessary trust with the electorate to ensure fair and free elections?
In the face of systemic concerns, the dialogue initiated by Sibal serves as a crucial reminder of the urgent reforms needed within the Commission. As electoral integrity becomes increasingly pivotal to the fabric of democracy, the need to rectify perceptions and realities surrounding the Election Commission has never been greater. Will the body be able to quell doubts and emerge as a trusted entity in time for the impending elections? Sibal's poignant observations suggest that significant upheaval may be necessary to achieve this goal.
