Untenable breach of neutrality: CPI MP demands probe after BJP seal appears on ECI document

New Delhi, March 23 (UNI) CPI Rajya Sabha MP Sandosh Kumar has called the appearance of a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seal on an official Election Commission of India (ECI) document "untenable" and urged Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to order a time-bound,independent inquiry. In his letter, Kumar warned that the incident represents a "grave breach of institutional neutrality and procedural integrity" and demanded accountability, public disclosure of findings, and robust safeguards to prevent recurrence. In his letter, the MP referred to an official communication dated March 19, 2019, in which the seal of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) appeared on a document which was issued by the ECI. The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Kerala acknowledged circulating the document and attributed the presence of the BJP seal to a "clerical mistake." Kumar dismissed this explanation as "untenable," calling it a reflection of "a disturbing degree of callousness and institutional indifference on the part of an authority entrusted with upholding the sanctity of elections and democratic participation." He emphasized that "this is not a routine administrative lapse; it constitutes a serious breach that undermines the credibility, neutrality, and constitutional integrity of the Election Commission of India, and erodes public confidence in the electoral process." Kumar also expressed alarm over the fact that the office of the CEO, Kerala, circulated outdated FAQs relating to the disclosure of criminal antecedents of candidates, raising "serious questions about both competence and intent." According to Kumar, the ECI had issued updated instructions on January 11, 2022, and March 18, 2024, in line with a Supreme Court judgment of August 10, 2021. He questioned whether the distribution of old FAQs by the Kerala CEO was a result of negligence or an attempt to mislead political parties. Kumar described the circulation of outdated guidelines by the CEO, Kerala, as "inexplicable and suggesting either a profound lack of seriousness or a deeper complicity." He questioned whether there was an attempt "to mislead or disadvantage political parties in the state by withholding updated legal and procedural requirements." Kumar urged the ECI to order a time-bound, independent investigation, hold responsible officials accountable, make findings public, and institute safeguards to prevent future breaches. He stressed that the integrity of the Election Commission is "foundational to Indian democracy" and called for immediate action to restore institutional credibility. UNI AAB