Election Commission of losing its credibility and independence: Congress

New Delhi, May 16 Accusing the Election Commission of losing its credibility and independence, the Congress on Thursday said time has come to review the procedure of the poll panel's appointment.

Congress' chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the order prohibiting campaigning in West Bengal by 20 hours is a "dim spot" on India's democracy and institutions like the Election Commission.

"Election Commission has totally abdicated its Constitutional duty under Art 324 to guarantee level playing field, other than discrediting the fair treatment under Article 14 and 21 of India's Constitution," he told reporters.

"The time has come to review the process of arrangement of Election Commission," he stated, calling for a national debate on the issue.

The Congress, a responsible political party, has never cast unwarranted aspersions on the actions of Constitutional bodies, Surjewala said.

"But we are deeply saddened to say that Election Commission of India has completely lost its independence and abdicated its Constitutional integrity," the Congress leader added.