Tue Feb 24 05:17:58 UTC 2026: ### Electoral Integrity Under Scrutiny in India: Opposition Seeks Removal of Chief Election Commissioner

The Story:
India’s electoral process is facing increased scrutiny, culminating in a move by the Opposition alliance to remove the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC). Allegations of “vote theft” and manipulation of electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) have fueled the controversy. The Opposition claims the Election Commission (EC) has allowed irregularities, specifically targeting minority and Opposition-supporting voters. Activists protested against the SIR in Bengaluru on February 7, 2026.

Key Points:

  • The Opposition seeks to remove the CEC due to concerns about electoral fairness.
  • Allegations of manipulated voter lists during the SIR, particularly in Bihar, targeting minorities.
  • Approximately 65 lakh voters allegedly deleted during the SIR exercise, which is being challenged in the Supreme Court.
  • The Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Office and Terms of Office) Act, 2023, which replaced the 1991 Act, is under scrutiny for potentially undermining the EC’s independence.
  • The 2023 Act stipulates that election commissioners should be appointed by the President based on a selection committee comprised of the Prime Minister, a Union Minister and the Leader of Opposition.
  • The Supreme Court is hearing a challenge to the 2023 Act in Jaya Thakur versus Union of India, 2024, with the next hearing scheduled for March 2026.
  • The removal process for the CEC is complex, requiring parliamentary procedure similar to that for removing a Supreme Court judge.

Critical Analysis:
The article highlights a growing concern regarding the independence of the Election Commission. The passing of the 2023 Act, which altered the appointment process for election commissioners, has raised questions about the government’s influence over the electoral body. The opposition’s attempt to remove the CEC, while unlikely to succeed given the ruling alliance’s majority, underscores the depth of the mistrust. This comes at a time when multiple news articles have been published about “independence”, including Tamil Nadu political independence, Taiwan independence and Indian independent bands.

Key Takeaways:

  • The fairness of India’s electoral process is being actively contested.
  • The appointment process of election commissioners is a key point of contention.
  • The independence of constitutional bodies is crucial for maintaining public trust in democracy.
  • Politicization of the Constitution and constitutional bodies poses a threat to Indian democracy.
  • The opposition’s move to remove the CEC is a symbolic act of protest against perceived government overreach.

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