Complaints by Election Commissioners

Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi separately wrote to Cabinet Secretary TV Somanathan on July 29, 2026, raising concerns over Senior Deputy Election Commissioner Maneesh Garg's conduct and work allocation changes.

“Both the ECs have stated that Shri Garg, after assuming the charge as link officer of DEC (Admn), has issued an order regarding work allocation of equivalent and senior officers to him without discussing the revised work allocation with the Commission or the officers concerned.”

Cabinet Secretariat Response

Cabinet Secretariat declined action on complaints, stating they were submitted individually rather than by the Election Commission as a whole, and any action might be inappropriate.

“the complaints were made in the Commissioners' "individual capacity" and without "any official communication from the Commission as a whole, any action at this stage may be inappropriate"”

Who Are the Commissioners?

Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, 63, is a former Uttarakhand chief secretary with an MBBS degree from Government Medical College, Amritsar, and a Master of Arts in History from Guru Nanak Dev University.

Vivek Joshi Background

Vivek Joshi, 60, is a former Haryana chief secretary who served as Union Personnel Secretary from August 19 to October 31, 2024, after completing a mechanical engineering degree from IIT Roorkee.

Alleged Misconduct

Election Commissioners alleged Senior Deputy Election Commissioner Maneesh Garg changed work allocation without consulting the Commission or obtaining approval, violating the 2023 Act.

“Both the ECs have stated that Shri Garg, after assuming the charge as link officer of DEC (Admn), has issued an order regarding work allocation of equivalent and senior officers to him without discussing the revised work allocation with the Commission or the officers concerned.”

Cabinet's Reasoning

Cabinet Secretariat noted complaints were from individual capacity, not official communication from the Commission, and any action could interfere with the Commission's constitutional independence.

“The Commission is a Constitutional Body and is insulated from executive interference by design to ensure that it functions independently and in a transparent manner.”

No Action Taken

Cabinet Secretariat sent acknowledgements to both Commissioners with copies to relevant departments but placed complaints on record for future reference.

“Election Commissioners have sent these communications for appropriate action; however, in the absence of any official communication from the Commission as a whole, any action at this stage may be inappropriate.”

Election Commission Response

Election Commission stated revised work allocation orders were not implemented following Commissioners' directions and complaints concerned an officer on deputation, not policy matters.

“the revised work allocation orders had not been implemented following directions from the two Commissioners”

Timeline of Events

Complaints filed July 29, 2026; Cabinet Secretariat acknowledged August 5, 2026; Cabinet note dated August 3 and 4, 2026.