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Thackeray Demands Paper-Ballot Re-Polls, Alleges Election Commission Irregularities
Uddhav Thackeray says some recent election decisions were unfair.
He wants elections in three states to be held again using paper ballots.
He also says many voters were removed or questioned during changes to voter lists.
Thackeray blamed Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar for these problems.
He praised two other election commissioners, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, for raising objections.
A report said they objected several times to changes in election forms and data systems.
The Election Commission says its decisions were unanimous.
It also says all orders were signed by all three commissioners.
Thackeray wants courts and opposition parties to help protect confidence in elections.
Uddhav Thackeray demanded that Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu assembly elections be re-conducted using paper ballots.
He alleged that voter-roll revisions removed 90 lakh voters in West Bengal and 70 lakh in Tamil Nadu.
Thackeray cited Maharashtra roll changes, including 45 lakh additions before the 2024 polls and objections against 40 lakh voters.
He called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s dismissal and imprisonment, and urged judicial and opposition intervention.
The Election Commission of India denied reported internal disputes, saying all decisions were unanimous and signed by all three commissioners.
- Who
- Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.
- What
- Thackeray demanded paper-ballot re-polls in Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu and called for action against alleged election irregularities.
- Where
- Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu, India.
- When
- The demand was made on Wednesday; the referenced Maharashtra assembly elections were held in 2024.
- Why
- Thackeray said voter-roll changes and Election Commission decisions had weakened public confidence in elections and democratic institutions.
Thackeray’s Allegations
Election Commission’s Response
Election legitimacy
Thackeray’s Allegations
Thackeray said flawed Election Commission decisions should be overturned and demanded paper-ballot re-polls to restore public confidence.
Election Commission’s Response
The Election Commission denied the reported claims and said its decisions were unanimous.
Internal disagreements
Thackeray’s Allegations
Thackeray said Sandhu and Joshi had effectively revolted against Kumar, while a report described repeated objections to electoral-roll changes.
Election Commission’s Response
The Election Commission said all orders had the signatures of Kumar, Sandhu, and Joshi, indicating institutional unanimity.
Electoral-roll changes
Thackeray’s Allegations
Thackeray alleged that the Special Intensive Revision removed large numbers of voters and that Maharashtra’s voter rolls contained serious irregularities.
Election Commission’s Response
The Election Commission rejected the reported allegations, without accepting Thackeray’s characterization of the roll changes.
Key facts
- Requested action
- Re-conduct assembly elections in Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu using paper ballots.
- West Bengal voter-roll claim
- Thackeray alleged that 90 lakh voters were removed during the Special Intensive Revision.
- Tamil Nadu voter-roll claim
- Thackeray alleged that 70 lakh voters were removed during the Special Intensive Revision.
- Maharashtra roll changes
- He said 45 lakh voters were added before the 2024 assembly polls and objections were later raised against 40 lakh citizens.
- Commissioner objections
- A report said Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi raised formal objections at least 14 times over 10 months.
- Election Commission response
- The Election Commission said its decisions, including the Special Intensive Revision, were unanimous and its orders carried all three officers’ signatures.
Quotes
Uddhav Thackeray
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief and political leader
“They first freeze the symbol and then give a partial decision. They used it for Sena (UBT), NCP and now TMC. Shiv Sena (UBT) is an example of how decisions have been given on whims and fancies.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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