EC's sanctity, independence openly compromised: Sachin Pilot attacks CEC, Modi govt

Congress National General Secretary Sachin Pilot has vowed that the party and the INDIA bloc will continue their agitation against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls and claims of vote manipulation, asserting that the Opposition will not back down until the movement reaches its logical conclusion.In an interview with India Today TV at the India Today Mumbai Conclave 2026, Pilot accused the Election Commission of compromising its sanctity, transparency, and independence, saying the battle was about safeguarding democratic institutions rather than merely winning elections."Through the last seven decades every single government has actually preserved the sanctity, the transparency, and the independence of the Election Commission. Today, it's openly compromised," Pilot said, alleging that decisions concerning the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls had raised serious questions about the poll body's impartiality.He described the controversy as a turning point for Indian democracy, saying, “Today we are at a turning point where the basic foundations of our republic, the system and institutions that we have so dearly guarded for seven long decades is now under question.” 'FIGHT BEYOND ELECTORAL BATTLES'Defending the Congress-led protests, Pilot said the Opposition's campaign was intended to restore public confidence in the electoral process. He argued that winning and losing elections was part of democratic politics, but the credibility of the system could not be compromised.Pilot also criticised what he described as the concentration of decision-making within constitutional institutions. "The system, the institutions are being overtaken by people who are not neutral in their judgment," he said, questioning how free and fair elections could be ensured if institutions were perceived to be aligned with a particular ideology.The Congress leader alleged that fellow Election Commissioners had objected to decisions taken by Kumar on multiple occasions.Referring to reports that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections at least 14 times over 10 months, he questioned the functioning of the three-member poll panel.The poll panel, however, has maintained that differing views are normal during institutional deliberations and that its orders follow established legal procedures.TARGETS CEC'S APPOINTMENT PROCESSPilot questioned changes to the process for appointing the CEC, particularly the removal of the Chief Justice of India from the selection panel.He also criticised the legal provision granting the CEC immunity from certain legal proceedings after leaving office and demanded accountability over the allegations against Kumar.He further alleged that decisions concerning the addition and deletion of voters had undermined the authority of electoral registration officers.These allegations come amid a broader dispute over the SIR exercise, voter deletions and changes to voter registration procedures.'RAHUL GANDHI WAS RIGHT'Pilot strongly defended Rahul Gandhi, who has repeatedly raised allegations of electoral irregularities, saying his earlier warnings were now receiving greater attention."He was right about everything, and today people realise that no matter what people said, what BJP and troll army used to say about him, today he's been proven right," Pilot said.He also criticised the handling of Opposition demonstrations by the authorities, alleging that MPs had been manhandled and prevented from raising their concerns with the Election Commission.He argued that elected representatives must be able to question institutions and demand accountability.On Friday, a 10-member delegation of Opposition leaders met President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan and submitted a memorandum seeking her intervention.After the meeting, Rahul Gandhi said the President had asked the delegation to provide evidence of the alleged electoral fraud and assured them that she would examine the matter.Meanwhile, Pilot maintained that the protests would continue beyond Delhi, pointing to demonstrations organised by the Congress at various organisational levels across the country."As far as the Congress party, INDIA alliance is concerned, this will be taken to its logical conclusion. I mean, there's no backing down on this," he said.With the Opposition pressing for accountability and the Election Commission defending its procedures, the dispute is likely to remain a key political flashpoint.Pilot said the Congress would continue to fight electoral battles while demanding a transparent and impartial system, insisting that public confidence in democratic institutions must remain the priority.- Ends