Election Commission is a 'failed institution': Kapil Sibal

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal criticizes Election Commission as dysfunctional, calls for restoring faith in democracy.

Terming the Election Commission "dysfunctional" and a "failed" institution, Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal has claimed that a large section of people do not have faith in the poll body as it has not discharged its functions in accordance with its constitutional responsibilities.

In an interview with PTI, Mr. Sibal said the quicker the issue of lack of faith in the Election Commission is dealt with, the greater is the chance of saving democracy.

"The Election Commission is a dysfunctional body. The Election Commission has not discharged its functions in accordance with its responsibilities which are expected of it under the Constitution," he said when asked about the Congress' and TMC's allegations about voters list irregularities.

The Election Commission as it stands today is a "failed institution" and there is no confidence in the Election Commission among a large section of the people of this country, the Independent Rajya Sabha MP said.

"Therefore, the quicker we deal with this issue, the greater is the chance of saving democracy," Mr. Sibal said.

"The message to the opposition is that apart from the EVMs, there are some really serious issues which in fact suggest that the process of elections is polluted," he added.

The results that have come about may have been the result of manipulations at many levels, Mr. Sibal claimed.