CPI M Demands Transparency and Accountability from Election Commission

Madurai: The 24th Congress of the CPI M adopted a resolution raising serious concerns over the functioning of the Election Commission of India (ECI), accusing it of undermining electoral democracy through opaque and partisan conduct.

The resolution slammed the BJP- led central government for altering the selection process of Election Commissioners by excluding the Chief Justice of India, thus compromising the autonomy of the ECI. It cited a CSDS survey revealing that only 28 per cent of Indians trust the ECI today, underlining the public’s growing mistrust.

The party expressed alarm over alleged large-scale electoral manipulation, including unexplained hikes in vote counts, voter list tampering, and disproportionate deletions in constituencies with significant opposition voters. It pointed to a nearly 5-crore vote discrepancy during the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and irregular voter registrations in Maharashtra ahead of the Vidhan Sabha elections.

The resolution also criticised the use of state machinery and Returning Officers in several states, accusing them of acting in a biased manner to benefit the ruling BJP. The now-invalidated electoral bonds scheme was called out as an example of corporate-political collusion, with the BJP having received the lion’s share of funds through opaque means.

The Congress opposed the linking of Aadhaar with Voter ID, warning it could place the election process under the control of the Union Government via UIDAI.

The CPI M vowed to launch a mass campaign demanding accountability, transparency, and restoration of a level playing field in elections. It reaffirmed its commitment to defend India’s democratic institutions and electoral integrity.