Congress targets government over appointment of new CEC, says democracy deserves better

Congress criticizes government for hastily appointing new Chief Election Commissioner, undermining Constitution and free elections, bypassing Supreme Court scrutiny.

The Congress on Tuesday (February 18, 2025) slammed the government for "hastily" appointing the new Chief Election Commissioner, saying it undermines the spirit of the Constitution and free elections.

Congress leader Manickam Tagore said democracy deserves better after the government appointed Gyanesh Kumar as CEC.

"The Government's hasty midnight appointment of the new CEC undermines the spirit of our Constitution and free elections. As LoP Rahul Gandhi rightly said, this should've waited for the SC hearing on February19," Mr. Tagore said on X.

"Rushing it shows their intent to bypass scrutiny. Democracy deserves better," he added.

Mr. Kumar was appointed as the next Chief Election Commissioner on Monday (February 18, 2025). He is the first CEC to be appointed under a new law on the appointment of members of the Election Commission (EC).

His term will run till January 26, 2029, days before the EC is expected to announce the schedule of the next Lok Sabha election.

Soon after the appointment, Congress general secretary K C Venugopal said the hastily-taken decision shows that the government is keen on circumventing the Supreme Court's scrutiny and getting the appointment done before a clear order kicks in.