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Opposition Coordination Grows Over Election Commission, SIR Controversy
M A Baby and Arvind Kejriwal met to discuss concerns about India’s Election Commission.
They talked about a process called SIR, which reviews electoral rolls.
Opposition parties say the process and disagreements inside the poll panel need urgent attention.
They also discussed Enforcement Directorate action involving Pinarayi Vijayan.
Baby wants Opposition parties to work together.
He invited Kejriwal to Left-backed protest meetings in Kerala.
The Election Commission says different opinions among its members are normal.
A larger Opposition meeting is planned for September 30.
CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby met AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal in New Delhi on Sunday.
The leaders discussed the Election Commission’s functioning, the SIR electoral-roll exercise and ED action involving Pinarayi Vijayan.
Baby urged coordinated Opposition action, citing concerns about democratic values and citizens’ voting rights.
The Election Commission said differing views are normal institutional deliberations and its orders follow statutory procedures.
An INDIA bloc meeting is proposed for September 30 to discuss the issue, including demands for CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s removal.
- Who
- CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, with other Opposition parties involved.
- What
- They discussed the Election Commission’s functioning, the SIR electoral-roll exercise, ED action involving Pinarayi Vijayan and coordinated Opposition action.
- Where
- The meeting was held in New Delhi, while related protests are being organised in Kerala.
- When
- The meeting took place on Sunday; Baby’s letter was dated September 23, and an INDIA bloc meeting is proposed for September 30.
- Why
- Baby said coordinated action was needed because the Election Commission’s credibility, democratic values and citizens’ right to vote were at stake.
Opposition parties
Election Commission
Credibility and SIR exercise
Opposition parties
Opposition parties say reports of disagreements within the poll panel raise serious concerns about the Election Commission’s credibility and democratic process. They want coordinated action and a halt to the SIR exercise.
Election Commission
The Election Commission says differing views and observations are a normal part of institutional deliberations, and that its orders follow statutory procedures and have legal sanction.
Chief Election Commissioner
Opposition parties
Opposition parties are demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and are working on a fresh removal notice after legal vetting.
Election Commission
The articles do not state a response from Gyanesh Kumar or the Election Commission to the removal demand.
Role of investigative agencies
Opposition parties
The CPI(M) describes Central investigative agencies’ actions, including the action involving Pinarayi Vijayan, as misuse and is organising protests against them.
Election Commission
The articles do not provide the Enforcement Directorate’s response or its stated reasoning for the action.
Key facts
- Meeting participants
- M A Baby and Arvind Kejriwal
- Main issue
- Election Commission functioning and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls
- Additional issue
- Enforcement Directorate action involving CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Pinarayi Vijayan
- Opposition demand
- A halt to the SIR exercise and removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
- Reported disagreement
- The Indian Express reported that Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi objected on 14 occasions to SIR-related decisions and orders
- Planned meeting
- An INDIA bloc meeting is proposed in New Delhi on September 30
- Election Commission response
- It said differing views are normal in institutional deliberations and that its orders have legal sanction and follow statutory procedures
Sources
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