New Delhi, May 16
Accusing the Election Commission of losing its credibility and independence, the Congress on Thursday said time had come to review the process of the poll panel’s appointment.
Asking whether the Model Code of Conduct had become the “Modi code of misconduct”, Congress’ chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the Election Commission order curtailing campaigning in West Bengal by 20 hours is a “dark spot” on India’s democracy and institutions like the poll panel.
“The Election Commission has completely abdicated its Constitutional duty under Article 324 of ensuring a level-playing field, besides negating the due process under Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution,” he told reporters.
“The time has come to review the process of appointment of the Election Commission,” he said, calling for a national debate on the issue.
The Congress, a responsible political party, has never cast unwarranted aspersions on the actions of Constitutional bodies, Surjewala said.
“But we are deeply saddened to say that the Election Commission has completely lost its independence and abdicated its Constitutional integrity,” the Congress leader said.
