Erosion of impartiality

The Election Commission of India (ECI), once regarded as the impartial custodian of the country’s democratic process, has increasingly found itself at the center of controversy. While accusations of bias are not new-earlier governments too faced charges of undue influence-the erosion of political conventions and institutional checks in recent years has been particularly stark. What was once a system governed by respect for the “Lakshman Rekha” of democratic restraint now appears to be collapsing, leaving behind a troubling precedent. The impeachment motion against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar marks an unprecedented moment in India’s parliamentary history. On March 13, 2026, 193 Opposition MPs across both Houses submitted notices seeking his removal, citing seven charges of aiding the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This is the first such move against a CEC in 75 years, underscoring the depth of mistrust surrounding the institution. The controversy traces back to Kumar’s appointment in 2023, which critics argue was emblematic of the government’s tightening grip over independent bodies. Traditionally, the selection of the CEC was entrusted to a high-powered panel comprising the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition, and the Chief Justice of India. In March 2023, the Supreme Court reaffirmed this arrangement, emphasizing the need for judicial oversight to safeguard independence. Yet, by December that year, the government altered the law, replacing the Chief Justice with a cabinet minister. This legislative maneuver effectively restored executive dominance, diluting the balance envisioned by the judiciary. Ahead of the West Bengal elections scheduled for April 23 and 29, Kumar ordered sweeping removals of top bureaucrats and police officials, a move critics saw as politically motivated. Similarly, under his predecessor Rajiv Kumar, the delay in announcing Maharashtra’s poll schedule allowed the government to roll out populist schemes and tax cuts, strategically timed to consolidate voter support. Such decisions have fueled perceptions that the Commission is no longer a neutral referee but an extension of ruling party strategy. The CEC came under intense scrutiny in 2019, despite EC Ashok Lavasa’s dissent, the CEC and another EC refused to act against alleged violations of the Model Code of Conduct by prime minister Modi and home minister Amit Shah. The current charges against Gyanesh Kumar center on the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, which Opposition parties claim led to mass deletions of genuine voters, particularly in West Bengal. Reports suggest over 5.46 lakh names were removed, with allegations that the exercise disproportionately targeted Opposition strongholds. For many, this represents not just administrative overreach but a direct assault on the principle of universal suffrage. Unfortunately, the CEC, like other institutional heads, remains insulated by political backing. Much like the Enforcement Directorate, Income Tax Department, and CBI, the Election Commission is increasingly seen as a tool of political leverage rather than a guardian of democracy. Unless there is a change in government, meaningful accountability appears unlikely. The larger tragedy is not merely the fate of one office holder but the steady erosion of institutional autonomy. The Lakshman Rekha that once restrained political excesses has been crossed, and with it, the sanctity of India’s electoral democracy stands endangered. If the Commission continues to function as an appendage of the ruling party, the very foundation of free and fair elections can only but crumble.