A former Chief Election Commissioner joined a political party and contested elections. There are various views on this issue. One view is that a former Election Commissioner is an independent citizen and has a right to join any political party and to contest election. According to the other view, leaving this possibility open can affect the impartiality of the Election Commission. So, former Election Commissioners must not be allowed to contest any elections. Which position do you agree with and why?

The election commissioner should not contest elections after they leave office. In article 324 of the Indian constitution, there is a provision for election commission, responsible to conduct the elections of the union parliament, the state legislative assembly, the president and the vice president. Election commissioner is a constitutional body that requires higher integrity to insure impartial conduct. The election commission is an independent and unbiased agency to conduct the free and fair election in the country. Former election commissioner must not be allowed to contest any election because it can affect the impartiality of the election commission. Any future prospect of the involvement of a constitutional official like the election commissioner in electoral politics would seriously compromise the integrity and impartiality of the one institution that is the cornerstone of the democratic convention of the country. Such a situation would be unhealthy for the polity in the long term as it would be exposed to electoral malpractices at the highest level.