Cabinet Secretariat Cites ‘Executive Interference’ in Action on Election Commissioners’ Complaints

The Cabinet Secretariat has refrained from taking action against an officer of the Election Commission, despite complaints lodged by two election commissioners. According to a response obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, the Secretariat expressed concerns that acting on these complaints without a unified formal request from the Election Commission could be perceived as ‘executive interference.’

This revelation comes amid ongoing scrutiny of the Election Commission’s internal operations. The complaints were made by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, who approached Cabinet Secretary TV Somanathan on July 29, 2023, regarding actions taken by Senior Deputy Election Commissioner Maneesh Garg. Garg, an Indian Administrative Service officer from the Himachal Pradesh cadre, had recently assumed additional responsibilities for the Commission’s administrative division.

Garg was appointed to this role on July 28, just before Deputy Election Commissioner Bhanu Prakash Yeturu went on leave from July 27 until August 9. Almost immediately after taking charge, Garg issued an order that altered the duties assigned to senior and deputy election commissioners, as well as other officials. This restructuring was reportedly carried out without prior consultation with the Election Commission or the affected officers, a point emphasized by Sandhu and Joshi in their correspondence.

In the letters submitted to the Cabinet Secretary, the two commissioners expressed their concerns regarding the abrupt changes initiated by Garg. They highlighted that the new work allocation contradicted a previous order established back in September 2025, raising questions about whether due process was followed.

The Cabinet Secretariat’s decision to hold off on any action is significant, particularly in the context of the Election Commission’s independence and the delicate balance between governmental oversight and electoral autonomy. The ongoing situation surrounding Garg’s administrative decisions may have broader implications for the functioning of the Election Commission, especially as it gears up for future electoral responsibilities.

Source: scroll.in