Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday sharply criticised the Election Commission of India over the circulation of a document bearing the office seal of the ruling party at the Centre to other political parties, describing it as a serious breach of institutional neutrality.
In a strongly worded letter to the Chief Electoral Officer, Vijayan also condemned the reported police action against individuals who criticised the incident.
He emphasised that, as a constitutional authority, the Election Commission must uphold complete political neutrality in all its actions. Criticism, he said, is a fundamental democratic right, and issuing police notices to those who pointed out the lapse is “anti-democratic”.
The Chief Minister stated that criticism which is neither defamatory nor personal in nature should be treated as a legitimate expression of opinion. “Using the police machinery to send notices is not the correct course of action,” he said.
Vijayan further underlined that the matter cannot be dismissed as an isolated error by a single official. The circulation of such a significant document without scrutiny by senior authorities makes the lapse serious, he noted, adding, “This cannot be seen as a mere accidental mistake.”
He stressed that the credibility and integrity of institutions like the Election Commission depend entirely on their impartial functioning, and that every action by its officials must reflect this neutrality.
While the Chief Electoral Officer has indicated that an inquiry will be conducted, Vijayan urged that the findings be made public to reassure political parties and citizens.
The controversy arose after a circular issued by the Election Commission, allegedly bearing the office seal of the ruling party at the Centre, was circulated among political parties, triggering a political storm.
Opposition parties claimed the incident pointed to an improper nexus between the Commission and the ruling establishment.
The Chief Minister’s remarks come amid reports that police had initiated action against individuals who criticised the issue on social media, further fuelling concerns over institutional accountability and democratic freedoms.
With IANS inputs