The Election Commission of India (ECI) is considering ways to address the concerns raised by opposition parties in India over the alleged misuse of central agencies by the BJP-led government. The ECI has been examining the legal and constitutional aspects of the matter and has found limited scope for specific actions. However, the ECI is also cognizant of the concerns raised by the opposition parties and its own mandate to ensure a level playing field during elections.

To address these concerns, the ECI may issue a strong advisory to the Centre or a specific communication to the agencies concerned. The ECI is currently drafting a communication to be issued in this regard.

During the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the ECI had issued an advisory to enforcement agencies, urging them to maintain neutrality and inform the panel of their actions. The advisory was issued after the then chief electoral officer of Madhya Pradesh reported that he was informed about income-tax raids in Bhopal and Indore after they were conducted.

The ECI’s advisory emphasized the need for neutrality, impartiality, and non-discrimination during enforcement actions, especially to curtail electoral malpractices involving the misuse of money power to influence voter behavior.

However, the opposition parties have expressed their displeasure with the Central Board of Direct Taxes’ (CBDT) response to the ECI’s advisory and specific communication regarding the alleged misuse of central agencies. In a meeting with the then CBDT chairman and revenue secretary, the ECI conveyed its displeasure.

The opposition parties, collectively known as the INDIA bloc, reminded the ECI about its 2019 advisory in the memorandum submitted after the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal. They highlighted several instances of actions by central enforcement agencies against opposition leaders just before the Lok Sabha elections and called for a mechanism to vet such arrests and raids during the period of the model code of conduct.

The ECI is also aware of the concerns raised by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which has separately written to the ECI regarding Kejriwal’s arrest and other grievances, including the barricading of its office during the election period.

In conclusion, the ECI is examining ways to address the concerns raised by opposition parties over the alleged misuse of central agencies. It may issue a strong advisory or specific communication to ensure a level playing field during elections.