RTI reveals two Election Commissioners’ complaints against senior EC officer: Reports

Two Election Commissioners, Dr Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr Vivek Joshi, reportedly wrote separately to Cabinet Secretary TV Somanathan on July 29, seeking action against senior Deputy Election Commissioner Maneesh Garg over an order which changed the allocation of work among senior officers, official documents provided in response to an RTI application stated.

Both alleged that the changes were made without consulting the Commission or the officers concerned.

Letters concern a separate dispute

According to media reports, the letters concern an internal dispute over work allocation. The Indian Express had reported on September 23 that the two Commissioners had recorded objections 14 times in 10 months to decisions involving additions of new voters and deletions from electoral rolls. The letters disclosed under the RTI application, however, deal with a separate matter.

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Sandhu wrote that Garg took additional charge of the Administration Division on July 28 while Deputy Election Commissioner Bhanu Prakash Yeturu was on leave.

Within hours, Garg reportedly issued an order changing the distribution of work among Senior Deputy Election Commissioners, Deputy Election Commissioners, Director Generals and officers of equivalent rank, stated reports.

Sandhu alleges order bypassed Commission

The order was issued "without discussing or informing the revised allocation of work with the Commission or the undersigned", Sandhu reportedly wrote.

"This has happened in spite of repeated and explicit oral and written instructions to all concerned officers by the undersigned against taking such actions without prior discussion/approval of the Commission," stated Sandhu.

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He alleged violations of Sections 18(1) and 18(2) of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, and sought "appropriate action".

Joshi flags lack of consultation

Joshi raised similar concerns in his letter. He objected to the revised allocation being issued without discussion with the Commission.

"Furthermore, when the undersigned requested for the relevant file from the Administration Division, it was not provided," stated Joshi.

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A Cabinet Secretariat file note reportedly stated that the letters were sent by the Commissioners in their individual capacities and "cannot be seen as a formal communication from the Commission as a whole".

It cautioned that intervention could "may also be construed as interference in the functioning of the Constitutional Body".