The rescinding of the bye-election to Ponda Constituency following a judgment of the High Court is a slap on the face of the Election Commission of India. Already mired in several controversies especially regarding the manner in which the ECI has been interacting with the Opposition parties, the annulment is an example of the flawed interpretation of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, by the Election Commission of India. The ECI must be having a robust legal team and the top crop of officers, well versed with electoral laws. Despite this, such basic flaws in interpreting the basics of law is nothing short of negligence and ignorance.
