Chandigarh, September 23, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister and Gurdaspur MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa on Wednesday said the ongoing debate over the functioning and appointment process of the Election Commission has raised questions about the independence and credibility of the poll panel.
Randhawa said democracy cannot function under a “shadow of doubt” and claimed that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar had lost moral authority. He called for his immediate removal, saying the move was necessary, in his view, to protect democratic and constitutional institutions.
The Congress leader said concerns raised earlier by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi regarding electoral rolls and the election process were now part of a wider national debate. He stressed that the Election Commission should function independently and impartially and command public confidence.
Randhawa also referred to the political controversy surrounding reported differences within the Election Commission. The poll panel has, however, said that decisions were taken unanimously and described internal differences during deliberations as part of the normal functioning of a multi-member constitutional body.
On the appointment process, Randhawa referred to the Supreme Court’s 2023 judgment in Anoop Baranwal v. Union of India. The Constitution Bench had provided, in the absence of a law by Parliament, for a selection committee comprising the Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India.
Parliament subsequently enacted the 2023 law replacing the Chief Justice of India on the selection panel with a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister. The validity of that law is currently under challenge before the Supreme Court.
On Wednesday, a two-judge Supreme Court Bench comprising Justices Dipankar Datta and Satish Chandra Sharma delivered differing opinions on whether the matter should be referred to a larger Bench. The case has now been placed before Chief Justice of India Surya Kant for consideration of a Constitution Bench of appropriate strength.
Randhawa said the developments underscore the need for an Election Commission that remains institutionally independent and free from executive influence, while calling for greater protection of its constitutional standing.
FOLLOW NOW
