1 hr ago
Congress Escalates Pressure on Election Chief Over Roll Revision
Congress leaders met in New Delhi to discuss election-related concerns.
They are unhappy with Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the way voter lists are being revised.
Congress says the process could wrongly leave many people off the lists.
It also points to reported disagreements among the three election commissioners.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge demanded Kumar’s removal and the Prime Minister’s resignation.
He also called for an independent investigation.
The Election Commission says disagreements inside an institution can happen and that its decisions follow the law.
Opposition parties may work together, and the Supreme Court will consider a legal challenge next week.
The Congress Working Committee discussed intensifying pressure on Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge called for Kumar’s removal, the Prime Minister’s resignation and an independent, time-bound probe into alleged electoral irregularities.
The party cited reported disagreements among Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi over voter registration, roll changes and electoral databases.
The Election Commission said internal differences are normal, its decisions have legal sanction and the commissioners’ letters concerned an officer on deputation rather than policy or technology matters.
Congress is expected to coordinate with INDIA bloc parties, while the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a petition challenging the Election Commission’s functioning and the SIR exercise.
- Who
- The Congress Working Committee, led by Mallikarjun Kharge, is challenging Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Election Commission; opposition INDIA bloc parties may join the effort.
- What
- Congress discussed a strategy seeking Kumar’s removal, the Prime Minister’s resignation, an independent probe and changes to the handling of electoral-roll revisions.
- Where
- The CWC meeting was held in New Delhi; the dispute concerns electoral rolls and the Election Commission’s national operations.
- When
- The CWC meeting took place on Tuesday; opposition parties are scheduled to meet on Wednesday, and the Supreme Court is expected to hear the petition next week.
- Why
- Congress says the Special Intensive Revision, voter-list changes and reported disagreements within the Election Commission raise concerns about exclusions, transparency and the electoral process.
Congress and Opposition
Election Commission
Internal disagreements
Congress and Opposition
Congress says reported objections by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi expose serious problems in the poll panel’s functioning.
Election Commission
The Election Commission says differences of opinion and observations are a normal part of institutional deliberations, and that the cited letters concerned an officer on deputation rather than policy or IT matters.
Electoral-roll revision
Congress and Opposition
Congress argues that the SIR exercise and related measures are inadequate to prevent large-scale exclusion from electoral rolls and require greater transparency.
Election Commission
The Election Commission maintains that its decisions and procedures have full legal sanction and follow established statutory requirements.
Political accountability
Congress and Opposition
Congress is seeking Gyanesh Kumar’s removal, the Prime Minister’s resignation and an independent investigation into alleged electoral anomalies.
Election Commission
The Election Commission has defended the legality of its procedures; the supplied reports do not state a separate response from the Prime Minister or government to the resignation demand.
Key facts
- Central issue
- The Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and related Election Commission decisions.
- Congress demand
- Removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
- Additional demand
- Prime Minister’s resignation and an independent, time-bound probe.
- Reported disagreements
- Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi reportedly objected to decisions and orders on at least 14 occasions over 10 months.
- Election Commission response
- It said differences of opinion are normal and its decisions have legal sanction and follow statutory procedures.
- Parliamentary coordination
- INDIA bloc parties are expected to discuss a joint strategy and possibly another notice seeking Kumar’s removal.
- Legal development
- The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a petition challenging the Election Commission’s functioning and the SIR exercise.
Quotes
Mallikarjun Kharge
President of the Indian National Congress who chaired the CWC meeting
“We are going to fight this seriously. This issue concerns the entire country, the existence of our democracy and the survival of our country. That is why we are very serious about this issue.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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