1 hr ago
Bengal Ministers Clash Over Election Roll Revision Controversy
A disagreement has grown over how India is checking and updating voter lists.
This process is called the Special Intensive Revision, or SIR.
A newspaper reported that two election commissioners had not been told about some decisions and had objected many times.
Opposition parties say this raises serious questions about the process.
Swapan Dasgupta criticized the media coverage of the issue.
Dilip Ghosh said there was no proof that anything improper happened.
Saket Gokhale also questioned why the election software and its maker were not being identified.
The Election Commission said there were internal disagreements but that it ultimately agreed on the nationwide revision.
Swapan Dasgupta criticized what he called “media activism” amid opposition demands targeting Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
An Indian Express report said election commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi were excluded from some SIR decisions and raised at least 14 objections.
Dilip Ghosh dismissed the controversy, saying opponents had provided no evidence and that improperly deleted voter names could be restored with documents.
Opposition leaders renewed demands for action against Gyanesh Kumar, while Saket Gokhale questioned the Election Commission’s secrecy around SIR software.
The Election Commission acknowledged “internal objections” but said it was unanimous on the nationwide electoral-roll revision.
- Who
- Bengal ministers Swapan Dasgupta and Dilip Ghosh, opposition leaders, the Election Commission, and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
- What
- A political dispute over alleged internal disagreements and transparency issues concerning the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
- Where
- The controversy concerns India’s nationwide electoral-roll revision, with statements reported from Kolkata and Delhi.
- When
- The claims and statements were reported on Wednesday and Thursday; the article also refers to opposition action first raised in Parliament in March and a vote-theft claim made last August.
- Why
- Opposition parties questioned the SIR process after reports of internal objections and alleged secrecy surrounding the software used for the revision.
Opposition and Critics
Government Supporters and Election Commission
Validity of the SIR process
Opposition and Critics
Opposition leaders argue that reported objections by two election commissioners raise questions about the process and have renewed demands for action against Gyanesh Kumar.
Government Supporters and Election Commission
The Election Commission says it was unanimous on the nationwide revision, while Dilip Ghosh says critics have produced no evidence of wrongdoing.
Disclosure of SIR software
Opposition and Critics
Saket Gokhale says the Election Commission should disclose the software’s details and the company that developed it, arguing that commercial-confidence claims conceal relevant information.
Government Supporters and Election Commission
The Election Commission has refused to provide the requested details, citing commercial confidence, according to Gokhale’s account.
Deleted voter names
Opposition and Critics
Opposition parties have questioned the deletion of voters and called for fresh elections using the pre-SIR voter list.
Government Supporters and Election Commission
Dilip Ghosh says that citizens whose names were illegally removed can submit the required documents and have their names restored.
Key facts
- Process
- Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls
- Chief Election Commissioner
- Gyanesh Kumar
- Reported objections
- Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi reportedly made at least 14 objections over 10 months.
- Commission position
- The Election Commission acknowledged internal objections but said it was unanimous on the pan-India revision.
- Opposition demand
- Opposition parties renewed calls for the dismissal, arrest, or impeachment of the chief election commissioner.
- Software dispute
- Saket Gokhale said the Election Commission withheld details about the SIR software and the company that made it.
- Government-side response
- Dilip Ghosh said there was no evidence of wrongdoing and that eligible voters could restore deleted names by providing documents.
Quotes
Swapan Dasgupta
West Bengal finance minister and former journalist
“The issue was also discussed in court, but nothing came of it. They have no evidence of what went wrong. If someone’s name has been illegally removed from the electoral roll, if that person is a citizen here, they can provide the necessary documents and their name will be restored.”
telegraphindia.com
“EC has refused to disclose the details claiming it would affect commercial confidence. A software used by a public authority is being kept secret for “commercial interests”. Therefore, which company’s commercial interest is being protected?”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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