Former Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa has publicly weighed in on the ongoing controversy surrounding the Election Commission of India (ECI). His comments, delivered to NDTV, specifically advocate for the scrapping of the third phase of the current process. This intervention follows recent media reports alleging that the two sitting election commissioners have expressed differing opinions on several significant decisions made by the ECI.

The core of the issue involves internal friction within the commission, which has historically operated under a consensus-based model. While the ECI has not officially confirmed the extent of these internal disputes, the public nature of the reports has sparked a debate regarding the transparency and unity of the institution. Lavasa’s suggestion to halt the third phase indicates a belief that the current decision-making process may be compromised or lacking the necessary internal agreement to proceed legitimately.

There is a notable divide in how the situation is being interpreted. Supporters of the commission’s current trajectory argue that internal debate is a natural part of any high-level administrative body and does not necessarily invalidate the final outcomes. Conversely, critics—including those echoing Lavasa’s concerns—argue that the reported fractures undermine public trust in the impartiality of the election process. As of now, the ECI has maintained a relatively low profile regarding these specific allegations, leaving the public to rely on reports of internal dissent and the subsequent commentary from former officials like Lavasa.