Prashant Kishor Calls for Reform in Election Commission Appointment Process, Questions Credibility Amid Opposition Allegations

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, February 22, 2025, Kolkata :  Amid growing allegations of bias against the Election Commission, Jan Suraj Party chief Prashant Kishor has demanded a reform in the appointment process of the Election Commission to restore its credibility. Kishor’s remarks came today in response to recent criticisms and concerns raised by opposition parties regarding the impartiality of the Election Commission, especially after the recent appointment of an Election Commissioner.

Speaking to reporters, Kishor highlighted a change in the law regarding the Election Commissioner’s appointment, which he believes undermines the credibility of the process. He stated, "The Supreme Court had previously ordered that the Chief Justice should be included in the appointment committee. However, Modi has changed the law on this issue. If two out of the three members of the appointment committee are Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, the process is questionable, especially since Rahul Gandhi is not the third person."

This statement comes in the wake of mounting allegations from the opposition about the Election Commission’s bias, with some questioning the credibility of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Kishor addressed this concern, acknowledging that the impartiality of the Election Commissioner could indeed come under scrutiny due to the questionable nature of the appointment process. He suggested that the inclusion of the Chief Justice in the committee would have safeguarded the Commission's credibility.

Kishor also commented on the ongoing debate about the integrity of EVMs, asserting, "I am not the kind of person to complain about rigging in EVMs. However, those who are making these complaints should be honest in their statements. When you win, the EVMs are right, and when you lose, the cards in the EVMs are silent. If there is doubt about the EVMs, then those who complain should boycott the elections."

His comments reflect the growing concerns within the political landscape about the perceived bias and fairness of the electoral process. Kishor’s call for a change in the election process and appointment procedures aims to restore public confidence in the integrity of the system.