Group calls for political parties to shun CEO meeting on poll reforms

A coalition of civil society groups has issued a public appeal to India's recognised political parties, urging them to abstain from participating in a scheduled meeting with the Chief Election Officer focused on electoral system changes. The collective's statement underscores tensions surrounding the proposed reforms and the process through which they are being deliberated. The groups have raised concerns about the framework and objectives guiding the election official's initiative, suggesting that engagement in the forum may legitimise procedures they view as problematic. The collective has not publicly detailed specific objections to the meeting's agenda, but the boycott call signals broader discontent within activist circles regarding how electoral governance decisions are being formulated. Political parties have yet to formally respond to the appeal, though the appeal reflects ongoing debates within Indian civil society about democratic participation and the roles of various stakeholders in shaping electoral policy. The matter comes amid broader discussions in India about electoral reforms and the mechanisms through which such changes are proposed and implemented.