Election Commission Appointment Row: Sandhu, Joshi Accuse IT Head of File Routing Violation

Two Election Commissioners, S.S. Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, have formally written to the Cabinet Secretary alleging that files from the Election Commission of India's IT department head, Dr Seema Khanna, were not routed through Mr. Kumar, a seasoned officer, in violation of established protocol. The complaint, reported on [date], has stalled key appointments within the poll body and brought internal procedural disputes into the public eye.

According to sources, the objection centers on the bypassing of Mr. Kumar, who was responsible for overseeing the IT department's file movements. The two commissioners argue that this deviation from standard operating procedure undermines administrative accountability. The Cabinet Secretary is now reviewing the matter, which has delayed the appointment of new Election Commissioners. Neither the ECI nor the Cabinet Secretariat has issued an official statement.

The controversy raises concerns about the independence and internal governance of the Election Commission, especially as it prepares for upcoming elections. Opposition parties have seized on the issue, demanding transparency in the appointment process. The government is expected to respond in Parliament, while the Cabinet Secretary's decision could set a precedent for how internal ECI disputes are resolved.