Full Breakdown
Cabinet Secretariat Declines Action on Election Commissioners’ Complaints Against Senior Deputy Election Commissioner Maneesh Garg
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Core Dispute: Commissioners’ Allegations and Secretariat’s Response
On July 29, 2026, Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi wrote to Cabinet Secretary T.V. Somanathan raising concerns about Senior Deputy Election Commissioner Maneesh Garg, IAS. They alleged that after assuming the Administration Division charge on July 28, 2026, Garg issued a work-allocation order that reassigned senior deputy election commissioners, deputy election commissioners, directors general and officers of equivalent rank without prior discussion with the Election Commission (EC) or the officers concerned. The letters said the action violated oral and written instructions and the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023.
The Cabinet Secretariat recorded that the communications were made in the commissioners’ “individual capacity” and not as a formal EC representation.
Background & Context
The Election Commission of India (ECI) is a multi-member constitutional body whose independence is protected by law. Under Section 18 of the 2023 Act, the Commission’s business should be transacted unanimously wherever possible, with differences resolved by majority. Maneesh Garg, an IAS officer of the Himachal Pradesh cadre (batch 1996), was appointed to the ECI by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) on September 2, 2024. His conduct is subject to the ECI’s internal rules.
Timeline
- Sept 2 2024 – Garg appointed Senior Deputy Election Commissioner.
- July 27 2026 – Deputy Election Commissioner (Administration) Bhanu Prakash Yeturu placed on leave; Garg assumes additional charge.
- July 28 2026 – Garg issues a work-allocation order.
- July 29 2026 – Commissioners Sandhu and Joshi send letters to the Cabinet Secretary.
- Aug 3 2026 – Secretariat files notes on the allegations.
- Aug 5 2026 – Cabinet Secretary acknowledges receipt and circulates it to the CEC’s office and relevant ministries.
- Sept 26 2026 – EC states Garg’s orders were not implemented following the commissioners’ directions.
Official Statements & Responses
- The Cabinet Secretariat said the lack of a collective EC communication meant any executive action could be undue interference. It recommended acknowledging the letters and placing the matter on record.
- The Election Commission clarified that Garg’s work-allocation orders had not been implemented after the commissioners’ directives on Sept 26 2026 and noted the letters concerned an officer on deputation, not policy or IT matters.
Criticism & Opposition
- Ashok Lavasa, former Election Commissioner, questioned why Sandhu and Joshi approached the Cabinet Secretary instead of using EC internal mechanisms.
- Yogendra Yadav, political analyst, asked why the commissioners did not first seek a full EC meeting or approach the President, suggesting the chosen route may bypass internal dispute-resolution.
Data & Statistics
- Two letters were sent on July 29 2026.
- The work-allocation order was issued on July 28 2026, within hours of Garg assuming charge.
- The Secretariat’s acknowledgment dated Aug 5 2026 was copied to three offices (CEC’s PPS, Department of Personnel and Training, Establishment Officer).
What’s Next
No specific future date or formal hearing has been scheduled, leaving the resolution of the commissioners’ concerns pending further internal deliberation within the Election Commission.