Former Maharashtra CM Calls for Supreme Court Intervention in Election Commission Dispute

New Delhi, September 23 (Daily Kiran) : Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan has raised significant concerns regarding the functioning of the Election Commission following a recent report. He emphasized that the Election Commission is a constitutional body, and all three election commissioners hold equal status.

Chavan urged the Supreme Court to take suo motu cognizance of the situation and, if necessary, summon all election commissioners to clarify the matter. He stated, “The law is clear that all three election commissioners are equal. There is no hierarchy among them. The Chief Election Commissioner does not act as a boss over the others. Decisions should be made collectively, and if consensus cannot be reached, the commission should operate based on majority rules.”

He highlighted that two commissioners had lodged complaints with the Cabinet Secretary about the commission’s operations, claiming that decisions were being made without their input, particularly concerning the Special Investigation Report (SIR) process. “While I acknowledge that the SIR is a separate issue currently before the Supreme Court, the fundamental question remains: will a constitutional body operate beyond the constitution?” he asked.

Chavan further remarked, “The news today and the issues raised about the Election Commission highlight a very serious matter. This goes beyond the SIR. The Election Commission is a constitutional entity that must make decisions by consensus, involving everyone in the process. If that is not feasible, then majority opinions should prevail. An attack on the foundational structure of our constitution and our fundamental right to free and fair elections is at stake. I consider this a very serious issue.”

He added that the only places for appeal are either the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court or the President. However, he noted that the current situation involves a bureaucratic head who should not be approached. “The position he holds is constitutional, not bureaucratic. Appeals should only be directed to the Supreme Court justices or the President,” he stated.

Chavan concluded by reiterating his demand for the Supreme Court to take suo motu cognizance of the matter and intervene. He called for all commissioners to be summoned before the court to determine whether the constitutional framework has been violated. “The Supreme Court should initiate proceedings based on a newspaper report under Articles 32 and 142 to uphold the constitution. This is my demand.”