And it’s triggering a firestorm. Former ECs warned this would erode public trust. Now, with allegations swirling over voter roll revisions, critics say it’s a shield for unchecked power. Section 16 of the 2023 law blocks civil or criminal cases against ECs; even after they leave office. No other constitutional body has this. A Supreme Court petition is pending. The government says it’s to protect ECs from political harassment. Critics say it’s protection from accountability. What happens when the watchdog can’t be watched? That question is now echoing across courts and newsrooms. With elections looming, the pressure is on. Democracy hinges on trust. And right now, that trust is being tested.