Election Commission in 2025: Still Independent or Being Influenced?

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has always been known for conducting fair and smooth elections. But now, in 2025, people are asking — is the Election Commission still working freely, or is it being influenced by political pressure?

In this post by Scoopearth, we break down everything in simple terms so you can understand the reality behind the headlines.

What Is the Election Commission?

The Election Commission is a government body that organizes elections in India. Whether it’s the Lok Sabha, State Assemblies, or even the President’s election, ECI ensures everything is done by the rules.

It works under Article 324 of the Indian Constitution and is supposed to be neutral — not controlled by any party or government.

What Changed in 2023?

In 2023, a new law was passed regarding how Election Commissioners are selected. Before this law, the Chief Justice of India was part of the selection panel. Now, the panel includes:

• The Prime Minister (PM)
• A Union Minister (picked by the PM)
• The Leader of the Opposition

This change led to criticism. Many experts feel that removing the Chief Justice has made the process less neutral. People now fear that appointments might favor the ruling party more than before.

Who Is the New Chief Election Commissioner?

In February 2025, Gyanesh Kumar, a retired IAS officer, became the new Chief Election Commissioner. He is the first to be chosen under the new selection rule.

Some people feel that the process wasn’t fully fair. However, others believe that his experience in administration may help manage large elections better.

What Are the Concerns?

The biggest worry is that the Election Commission may not act freely anymore. A few recent incidents added to this doubt:

• In Maharashtra, over 39 lakh new voters were added to the list. Opposition leaders questioned the process and asked for transparency.
• Many feel that announcements and dates of elections are sometimes delayed or set to benefit one party.

Although the Election Commission denies any wrongdoing, the debate continues across newsrooms and public platforms.

Is the Commission Taking Any Steps?

Yes, the ECI is trying to prove its transparency:

• It has increased visits to states for ground checks.
• It is working on voter awareness programs.
• Officials are stressing the importance of clean and honest elections in their speeches.

Recently, Election Commissioner Vivek Joshi visited Bihar to ensure election preparations were on track and transparent.

The “One Nation, One Election” Talk

There’s also discussion about holding all elections — national and state — at the same time. The government says it will save money and time. But critics argue it may favor the ruling party and weaken the voice of state-level leaders.

This proposal is still under review and needs many changes to the Constitution to become law.

Final Words

The Election Commission has a big responsibility — to protect our democracy. While it has taken some steps to stay independent, recent changes have raised genuine concerns.

As voters, we must stay alert, ask questions, and ensure that our democratic processes remain fair and open.

For more news that matters to you, follow Scoopearth — where facts come first, and stories are told straight.