Discuss the measures needed to strengthen the perceived neutrality and accountability of the Election Commission of India.

Article 324 gives the Election Commission of India (ECI) the "superintendence, direction and control" of electoral rolls and elections. Its authority rests on public trust more than on coercive power. Recent disputes over appointments and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of rolls show that the ECI must be neutral and must also be seen to be neutral.

Why perceived neutrality is under strain

• Appointments: In Anoop Baranwal (2023), the Supreme Court set an interim selection panel of the PM, the Leader of Opposition and the CJI. The 2023 Act replaced the CJI with a Cabinet Minister nominated by the PM [2]. The Act was then challenged for diluting that ruling [1].
• Mass roll revision: Bihar's SIR removed about 65 lakh names at the draft stage. Later, 21.53 lakh were added through Form 6 [3]. This raised fears that eligible voters were being excluded.

Measures to secure independence

• Balanced selection panel: add a non-executive member, in line with the Law Commission's collegium proposal [4].
• Equal removal protection for Election Commissioners. At present only the CEC has impeachment-like protection under Article 324(5) [4].
• Financial and administrative autonomy: an independent secretariat, with expenditure charged on the Consolidated Fund [4].
• Cooling-off period: no government post after retirement.

Measures to secure accountability and transparency

• Publish deletions booth by booth, with reasons, before rolls are finalised, so that citizens can object in time [3].
• Protect migrants: treat "shifted" voters differently from dead or duplicate entries. Give notice and allow transfer of enrolment instead of striking off the name.
• Time-bound remedies: publicise appeals under Section 24, RP Act 1950 (to the DM, then the CEO), with deadlines well before polling.
• Reasoned disclosure: speaking orders on Model Code complaints, regular data briefings and an annual report laid before Parliament.

Shared responsibility of political parties

• Parties should train Booth Level Agents and file objections at the draft stage. The ECI reported zero appeals in the Bihar SIR [5], so claims of manipulation made later lack a legal record.

The ECI's neutrality can be made visible through independence in appointments, openness in roll revision and reasoned public disclosure. Implementing the Law Commission's 255th Report and the spirit of Anoop Baranwal would protect universal adult franchise (Article 326). It would keep the referee of Indian democracy above suspicion, in line with SDG 16's call for accountable and inclusive institutions.