EC Refused To Share Details Of CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s Official Visits Under RTI, Claims Saket Gokhale

Former Rajya Sabha member Saket Gokhale has accused the Election Commission (EC) of withholding information about Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar's official visits and the expenses incurred on them from public funds. Gokhale filed an RTI application on June 18, requesting details of Kumar's official visits since he assumed charge as CEC on February 19, 2025, along with the associated expenditure.

The EC responded on July 31, claiming that the requested information constitutes "personal information" under Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act and thus cannot be shared. Gokhale questioned the rationale behind considering public expenditure on official travel as personal information, pointing out that even the Prime Minister's foreign travel expenses are disclosed in Parliament.

RTI activist Anjali Bharadwaj criticized the EC's decision, stating that it highlights the potential abuse of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act to shield public servants from accountability. Gokhale accused the EC of lacking transparency and accountability, alleging that the poll body has become a "black hole" under Kumar's leadership.

The controversy underscores the ongoing debate over the balance between privacy and transparency in public offices.