Wire PrimeTime | Why is Election Commission Scared of Modi?

Рет қаралды 66,030

Ай бұрын

Former Union revenue secretary and transparency advocate E.A.S. Sarma and Siddharth Varadarajan discuss the functioning of the Election Commission of India.
Among the questions they address:
1. Why are the three election commissioners reluctant to act on Sarma's documented complaints about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's violations of campaign laws?
2. Why have they not responded to the Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax department's coercive actions against Opposition leaders even though the model code of conduct is in force?
3. Do we need a model code of conduct for election commissioners so that they function transparently and independently?
4. Does the problem lie in the fact that the government, i.e. the executive, dominates the selection process for picking election commissioners?
The Supreme Court ruled that the ECI's powers under Article 324 are vast and that it is up to the commissioners to treat their constitutional mandate as a 'vast reservoir' of power in exercise of their mandate of ensuring free and fair elections. Yet they are shying away from doing so.
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Пікірлер: 411

@olongdx9060 Ай бұрын

Very insightful interview.. corruption and hunger for Power is eroding the democratic set up in India.

@arulsoosai1330 Ай бұрын

Thank you Mt Sarma for being bold and taking the ECI to be accountable

@user-iu8mt7hn1z Ай бұрын

Mr.SARMA HAS DISCHARGED HIS PIOUS NATIONAL DUTY RAISING FINGER AT ELECTION COMMISSION WHOSE ACTIONS ARE SHROUDED IN FATHOMLESS SUSPICIONS!!!

@MeMe-sy5xp Ай бұрын

Sarma Sir, Thank you for being so bold to speak the truth. If we had at least 50 percent of our senior bureaucrats think like you our country would have been much better off.

@Jt61603 Ай бұрын

More power to men of integrity like you. Truth will win. Lies, paid PR, hatred, divide and rule will end. Our beloved Indian people will vote it out!

@chander3338 Ай бұрын

The same beloved Indian people voted back Modi to power in 2019. If we go back to history Jawaharlal Nehru got three terms as PM. Modi is expected to repeat the same and win back the PM’s post.

@abdulrahmansharief9949 Ай бұрын

Our India is a Great Country, still we have persons like EAS Sarma

@smehra9001 Ай бұрын

We SALUTE MR.VARDARJAN and SARMA TO Bring TRUTH N BE FAIR TO COUNTRY People DURING ELECTIONS.

@sudhirpatil3434 Ай бұрын

Wire remains one of the most fearless Chanel within Indian media today - 🙏

@basuh7526 Ай бұрын

Wire is the best dog of Khangress 😎

@vijayakrishnan9119 Ай бұрын

In a country like in India now where there is no freedom of press how come they are always at it -criticising Modi- and are still roaming freely without being arrested. Bravo! they sure are fearless. Salutes to them!

@bhuletansingh7981 Ай бұрын

Because this is India, moving fwd with BJP.

@basuh7526 Ай бұрын

@@vijayakrishnan9119 what do you mean by freedom of speech? Anything without responsibility is a dirty hyena & must be controlled to save our country, Jai ho Sir Modi ji 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

@basuh7526 Ай бұрын

@@bhuletansingh7981 Jai ho ho, please ensure all your family friends reach polling station & vote for BJP without fail 👍

@riazsami Ай бұрын

Wire is the best journalism with high transparency with 💯 facts with eminents and scholars...

@shaunbird8051 Ай бұрын

Thanks to The Wire & Sarma for the excellent talk. Such good messages should reach every nook & corner of this land. Jai hind.

@theophilusdsilva8531 Ай бұрын

Thanks for your fight against unfair practices of Election commission in democratic transparency in our fair elections. Supreme court is guardian of constitution all the correspondence should also be addressed to CJI if appropriate action is not taken by Election commissioner.

@carolinepeter6729 Ай бұрын

Salute Mr. Sarma for his efforts in bringing out the truth.

@9146rsn Ай бұрын

This is the kind of wisdom India was known for, not the current dispensation that relies on misinformation, hype, sensationalism and propaganda!

@user-ct1uq4pe6r Ай бұрын

ECI is not imposing a prohibition on spending money from electoral bonds because it is searching to find out commonSense.

@mohammedmurtaza3257 Ай бұрын

Hi! Sid...Thank you Sirs... assertion carries significant depth, yet the imminent threat to our democracy is glaringly evident.

@josephjohn2095 Ай бұрын

Tku Mr. Vardharajan for this excellent interview with Mr. EAS Sarma. Salute to his Frank and forthright suggestions especially for Election Commission to take over the powers of ED, CBI & other investigative & policing powers which is very very important in the present times to give a level playing field for all political parties to contest elections in a free and fair manner without any fear whatsoever which is absolutely in a functioning democracy.

@ojoao5237 Ай бұрын

There should be a press conference by all the three Elections Commissioner every weekends during election to answers about complaints or allegations made by people and parties of violations of modal code of conduct and what actions they have taken

@aminsuting8801 Ай бұрын

Thanks to the Wire for bringing this type of interview.

@basuh7526 Ай бұрын

Is this interview? 😜😜😜 dogs are barking 😅😂🤣

@rajbushan4267 Ай бұрын

The last refuge of a scoundrel Religion, patriotism and Nationalism

@MDVaashir Ай бұрын

And caste too

@maryanneekka5792 Ай бұрын

A very enkightening discussion for us as ordinary people. Reassuring to see that former Govt officials speaking up on transparency and a free and fair election. Thank you Sirs!!

@AReo-pl1eq Ай бұрын

Thank you 🙏 Wish we had many more like Mr. Sarma in the country! 🤩

@kishank244 Ай бұрын

Not just EC? EVERY ONE WHO MATTERS FOR KEEPING DEMOCRACY ALIVE ARE SURRENDERED

@ramiyer3377 Ай бұрын

Very informative discussion on the need for a diligent Election Commission that upholds constitutional provisions and helps conduct a free and fair poll rather than a pliant agency that refuses to use the teeth and bite provided to it!!

@venkatachalamar7207 Ай бұрын

Suitable law should made to withhold the salary&perks and also of their post retirement benefits if the officials does not discharge the duties in a honest& transparent way as laid down.

@suragr1974 Ай бұрын

Most spineless EC in history 😡

@krishanuadityapandey4414 Ай бұрын

Why you think current EC as spineless ???? Only because still Modi doesn't appointed returning officer as his election agent as done by Indira Gandhi !!!!!

@suragr1974 Ай бұрын

@@krishanuadityapandey4414 Reasons are very well explained in this interview .

@krishanuadityapandey4414 Ай бұрын

@@suragr1974 It is not any interview but just one-sided propaganda. Why those people are completely silent about Sandeshkhali incident, mob lynching for hearing Hanuman Chalisa in Bangalore, mob lynching for celebrating Holi in AMU and murder of two Hindu babies in Badaun ???? Only because those incidents show the real situation of India and real face of peaceful community in India !!!!!

@samarthtandon724 Ай бұрын

This is what politicians do , waterboutry , this guy is doing , talking about EC and he talks about Indra Gandhi ne bhi aise hi Kiya tha . Agar wo galat hai to ye bhi galat hai . But #andhbhakt nahi samjhege , there 🧠 are dead and have modani fungus in them .

@suragr1974 Ай бұрын

@@krishanuadityapandey4414 The culprit in the said event is in jail, while for a similar case , the perpetrator is sitting in the parliament along with Modiji in the ruling benches, claiming to be part of Modi ka pariwar. Yes Mr. Brijbhushan is enjoying the benefits of BJP were you can do any crime and not get prosecuted.

@bibhutibhusanacharya5635 Ай бұрын

Thanks Sharma sir for your analysis

@jayashankarab9455 Ай бұрын

Thank you so much sir for both of you for your lovely and timely useful discussion on the subject in the interest of our Nation.

@jdsouza123 Ай бұрын

Now, the people of India should react. Use the ☝ and vote them out.

@petulad3004 Ай бұрын

yup 💯

@sunilkirby7860 Ай бұрын

Very sorry state of affairs with Election Commission of India.

@edwardquadros438 Ай бұрын

Most impartial News Papers which i know since 1970s are Indian Express and The Hindoo.....I repeat, only these two....they have courage, conviction, strength, honesty and integrity.....They are not of those only talk big things and have large Corporates in the name of News Papers.....All the best to these two....Entire Country respect you for protecting democracy, justice and impartiality. Jai Hind.

@idbhandari9952 Ай бұрын

I agree with Mr.Sarma.The Supreme Court is not a panacea for all wrong doings of the government.The Civil Society has to play its due role to safeguard the Democracy and the Rule of Law.

@kfr7867 Ай бұрын

Exactly!!

@asathyamurthy2481 Ай бұрын

Glad to see Mr.Siddarth Varadarajan back.

@Gpradak Ай бұрын

🎉People started erecting old washing machine in front of their houses .. washing Machine😂😂🎉🎉

@moinnagdawala7125 Ай бұрын

Mr, Sarma, you are best asset for Indian society. EVM hatao desh bachao. BJP using divide and rule policy of british and selling India to CORPORATES LIKE EAST INDIA COMPANY.

@Xyz23454 Ай бұрын

कृपया कोई ऐसा रास्ता निकालें जिससे जनता को जगाया जा सके, अन्यथा कोई नैतिक संहिता नहीं रहेगी

@josephthyparampil2858 Ай бұрын

It is better if violation of MCC is handled by SCI, instead of ECI, as ECI is always found unable to take action on ruling Govt.

@ROSHNI6278 Ай бұрын

Free & fair election is the backbone of democracy..Hence The ELECTION COMMISSIONERS are on the most important POSITION to safeguard democracy..Rajiv kumar & the other two Gyanesh Kumar & Sukhbir singh Sandhu ( chosen by MOdi) ..Should be held Accountable for any mismanagement.

@renukaviswanathan454 Ай бұрын

The ECI can interpret its constitutional powers to fulfil its functions. He is right. ECI should direct CBI and ED to investigate the suspicious links now being pointed out by several media persons between electoral bond donations and policies.

@samarthtandon724 Ай бұрын

Spineless EC till date . How do these people in EC are able to sleep at night . BJP is going to loose and Modi is not coming in 2024 , there is a wave like in 2014 but against Modani

@mslightwala Ай бұрын

Accountability has been Crippled by PM Systematically 10:28

@Dasverma Ай бұрын

Current Indian election commission is appointed partially, performs partially and is rewarded for being partial to the PM’s party and the PM.

@UdayKumar-hg7rx Ай бұрын

Great job by mr sarma

@sureshbajaj6031 Ай бұрын

Story of grit and courage in these tumultuous times . Please continue your fight for justice and freedom.👍👍🙏🇮🇳

@kuldipsharma3119 Ай бұрын

Very very good discussion between you both which is 100 true.realy in my 70 years of age never seen this kind of situation in the country last 10 years which is not good for the future generation to come what kind of politics is going on in the country only prapganda, Hindu, Muslims, religion only nothing else no development jobs education and High rises prices but why govt is not speaking on the important issues which are very important for the country's future generation to come.

@kasturiswami784 Ай бұрын

We miss that fearless t.n.seshan.

@mathiarasu1970 Ай бұрын

Salute for Mr Siddharth for his pro people anti fascist journalism 👏👏👏👏

@Dasverma Ай бұрын

EC are appointed by the PM, for the PM & of the PM. A clear manifestation of partiality is apparent and sadly continue.

@sareshn Ай бұрын

Thank you Mr. Sarma for meaningful insight on this topic 🙏

@benudhardas4268 Ай бұрын

Nice discussion in public interest .

@kulasekhararaogooty553 Ай бұрын

Congress party gave 100% VVPAT counting guarantee in their manifesto.👍

@pbghosh5305 Ай бұрын

Inadequate, promise should have been going back to paper ballots, nothing short of that. Just what Western democratic countries do to see elections are conducted in the most efficient manner, and more so to highest satisfaction of the voters. Congress will do well to revise the manifesto and incorporate paper ballots instead of 100% counting of vvpat. Not satisfied.

@Dote19 Ай бұрын

It would be incorrect to presumed that ECI is scared of Modi or the ruling dispensation. When the members of the ECI is being handpicked by the PM and couple of cabinet ministers, how on earth can we expect them to function independently.We have a serious flawed in a manner in which ECI is being appointed. And this is precisely the reason, why we are called "Flawed Democracy".

@petulad3004 Ай бұрын

Absolutely true!

@user-nz2ql9zj3g Ай бұрын

ECI is under the lap of bjp. Great to see Mr. Sarma boldly speaking out on this issue.

@ivyjacob8025 Ай бұрын

LORD GOD ALMIGHTY protect our Nation from the clutches of scoundrels who are trying to destroy the peace and Democracy in our Country India!!! God save our Nation where injustice prevails at the moment!!!

@bm8292 Ай бұрын

There is no God except, Modiji. Remember he gives free ration to the people. What did your God give you?

@SoumyaMantur Ай бұрын

We want justice and jobs not free ration@@bm8292

@wanderingmystic6968 Ай бұрын

@@bm8292A thinking mind a d common sense.. for starters. A diminishing attribute in the country

@merulingbachangchang6713 Ай бұрын

Vote for INDIA ALLIANCE

@UdayKumar-hg7rx Ай бұрын

Great words by sarma

@vedazachariah3472 Ай бұрын

Thank you Mr. Varadarajan for enlightening discussion. Thank you Mr. Sarma for being vigilant and doing the needful.Keep doing your work and the people will add to your voices!

@rajkumarkanojia1367 Ай бұрын

very bold and beautifully explained by Mr Sharma ❤❤❤ hats off to you

@lincoln8604 Ай бұрын

Scared of our Supreme Leader

@yogeshgogawekar5284 Ай бұрын

Nice conversation. Thank you

@kvishnup Ай бұрын

The selection process of the two Election Commissioners was done in a devious manner. Mr. Adhir Ranjan was not even given sufficient time to go through the list of proposed names. Opposition and people should boycott elections and file a case against CEC in SC for being so blatantly pro-Modi.

@rockmoon123 Ай бұрын

We are proud of you Saheb Siddharth Ji and Saheb EAS Sarma Ji. We have great trust in u people that u will be safe the Shakti (ED, CBI, IB, Income tax, Police and other Government agencies) Valued Rahul Gandhi said. We r getting free, fair and transparent journalism because of u people. Thank you so much for your excellent teachings and learning Saheb. We love to watch your latest worries and unique topics of debates with eminent speakers. We love you so much. Regards,

@MDVaashir Ай бұрын

Why is Modi not arresting wire journalists like Modi arrested Kejriwal, Hemant Surana etc

@user-ct1uq4pe6r Ай бұрын

The most urgent but unresolved dispute relates to litigation against use of EVMs . The delay is fraught with grave risks.

@babup424 Ай бұрын

INDIAN DEMOCRACY IS UNDER THREAT. ED, EC, CBI are acting as the AGENTS of BJP. No complaints of Opposition party is given attention. Whereas, EC is giving prior information to BJP regarding his action against the opposition, even befor he inform the opposition party personality.

@rangaswamyrangaswamy5360 Ай бұрын

Thanks to both ,, very insightful and pro democratic discussion, ❤

@user-mq8bs4vl7y Ай бұрын

Very few well wisher have India got at this point of time. Salute to Mr EAS Sarma for his services to our nation. The wire is also doing great services to India as well.

@Gokool_wid_Life_coz_YoLO Ай бұрын

It takes guts to put out such headlines on videos 🎊 💐 💐 great going wire 👏

@meharikr Ай бұрын

kudos to your spirited courage to discuss this, tc stay safe

@belated_melody Ай бұрын

Thank you for being brave and vocal Mr. Sarma, wish more ex-officios were brave enough to speak and spread the nuances of concerning issues for the people like you. Thak you The Wire for engaging with intellectuals in the need of the hour.

@parvatishastri4924 Ай бұрын

You are proposing an ideal situation and an honest, upright ECI. But at this juncture, they are all controlled by the ruling dispensation.

@varghesekurian7037 Ай бұрын

Very goid discussion. The level of duscourse most often initiated by the ruling dispensation and there coteries are so low that people whose concepts of democracy are different find it difficult to even rebut them. It is highly damaging for the country's democracy that officials paid from the public exchequer instead of adhering to the letter and spirit of the law are ready to act as agents of those in power..

@mayamk5535 Ай бұрын

Great discussion

@swamidasabishai3060 Ай бұрын

I have always thought that the Judiciary could always take a suo moto decision to intervene whenever it feels that the Constitution is under threat. Times are different and things are happening in the country scaring the people out of their wits. How one hopes the the Highest Judiciary of the land ( the last hope of the people) intervenes to save the Constitution and the democratic set up of the country !

@sayantanchaudhuri669 Ай бұрын

Question for Shri E A S Sharma- Sir is not possible that all of you retired govt officials (The IAS, IPS, IRS, Secretaries, etc) form a group and move to the supreme court against any violations by the ruling govt. This will help by providing the country a group of vigilant eyes to monitor the govt. functioning.

@kamapaladehuri8358 Ай бұрын

Discussion quite absorbing. Vigilance is the price of liberty. Election is not a ritual but the starting point to our democracy.

@rajanmathai5456 Ай бұрын

The election should conduct by Ballet paper otherwise Democracy will finish.At least they should allow the people of India to get the printed VVPAT PAPER AND LET THEM PUT IT IN ANOTHER BOX, AND THAT SHOULD COUND.

@sandipchatterjee321 Ай бұрын

Simple answer is perhaps PEGASUS.

@dathatreya5948 Ай бұрын

What a rich knowledge these Honest Officials like Sarmaji we had in the system to questions to the govt.... India is still live democracy, not one modi hundreds requires to destroy our democracy.

@simona.v9166 Ай бұрын

Present ECs are tools of ruling party for sometime. It must be impartial like past EC, T N Sheshan.

@dr.ravitati8662 Ай бұрын

20 years ago I used the report of EAS Sharma ji for my PhD. Its thrilling to see you again sir.

@AvArasu Ай бұрын

I appreciate your Guts to talk about the misdeeds of the PM & EC.

@rajnishkrmanga Ай бұрын

EAS Sarma is truly a conscience keeper of the country.

@eleswarapunageswararao3843 Ай бұрын

Mr. Sarma's courage in taking up essential public issues and making a strong plea for a rational/commo sense approach is commendable. But his letters to the ECI and his periodical raising of his voice against many unlawful and unconstitutional deeds of the government are, unfortunately, a cry in the wilderness.😊

@nagaiahgovindarajalu8110 Ай бұрын

salute both Hope all instiutions will ensure accountability

@srinivasrao369 Ай бұрын

Who's nit scared ED CID IT JUDICIARY All r scared

@kamalinimalhotra2695 Ай бұрын

One of the best news channels. Thank you,

@fazlulhoquechoudhury2915 Ай бұрын

100% VVPAT Slip Should be Counted..

@NurulIslam-kc2jl Ай бұрын

👍 video. 🇮🇳🇯🇴🇮🇳

@ramchander1688 Ай бұрын

This is indemoctrotic, unconstitutional

@dolatkuriakose3807 Ай бұрын

Why is the opposition tolerating the one-sided posture of the EC? How can you trust an EC who is not fair in the conduct of politicians to conduct elections in a fair manner? Why is the EC not adhering to the public's request for an election using ballot papers?

@arupgoswami8581 Ай бұрын

we despair of prevalence of the model code of conduct..the code is conspicuous more in the violation than in allegiance to it..

@user-tt9js4gq2e Ай бұрын

Can Election Commission of India give 15-30 minutes daily briefing on list of Model Code of Conduct violation by Ruling party and opposition parties, Govt institutions and President, Armed forces, media , courts, ECI itself and international countries and community

@hubertrodrickstanseninstit7943 Ай бұрын

His file is in the Home minister desk .

@movieaccount2659 Ай бұрын

The application is called C-vigil. It provides instant acknowledgement of any MCC Complaint. With age I guess the speaker is asserting that only his medium of complaint should be accepted and that ECI should send acknowledgement on his way. C-Vigil provides instant notification on every action and the response comes in 100 minutes. May be the speaker be familiarised with modern technologies which are transparent.

@sheilagidwani7928 Ай бұрын

Sir we want election commissioner as u, u are bold- brave- honest! Thankx!

@shaliniprabhakar6258 Ай бұрын

Its frustrating to understand what should be and is not.. Will it ever be?

@user-jc5gv1zh9c Ай бұрын

BJP'S most corrupt party in the world, they are doing beyond the limits of laws, regulations and Constitution, because they never bothered, it is a big mistake of Sardar Patel, who lift the ban after Gandhi ji Assignation.

@naimasiddiqui348 Ай бұрын

Excellent.

@shankarrajgopal5165 Ай бұрын

Wish Seshan was the EC today.

@monicachichamsangma-xo6xt Ай бұрын

Glad that a channel like wire exists and respect to Mr Sharma for being bold and speaking reasonably

@ramachandrannarayanan2402 Ай бұрын

If the ECs act independenty that is what is expected of them the govt can do nothing.Why are they afraid then are threats being held out to their life?

@sugumarane3182 Ай бұрын

wire !our former C.E.I Mr .Sehshan reported that some official wants him to meet at his office He replied if you want to meet me, come to my office.He is an example for other CEI.