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INDIA Bloc Urges President Murmu to Restore Paper Ballots
Leaders from several opposition parties met President Droupadi Murmu to share concerns about how elections are run.
They say voter lists and voting may have been mishandled, though these are allegations.
They asked for the election chief to step down and for a law about election officials’ immunity to be changed.
They also want voter names they say were wrongly removed to be restored.
Another request is to use paper ballots instead of electronic voting machines.
They also want some recent state elections cancelled if, they say, strong proof of cheating exists.
Rahul Gandhi said the President asked them to provide evidence.
The bloc says it wants these changes to protect people’s voting rights.
A delegation of INDIA bloc leaders submitted a four-point memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu on Friday, alleging electoral manipulation.
The memorandum seeks Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and repeal of the 2023 law granting election commissioners immunity for official acts.
It calls for suspending the Special Intensive Revision and restoring 13.30 crore voters allegedly removed from electoral rolls.
The bloc demands paper ballots instead of EVMs and annulment of Assembly elections over the past two years where it claims conclusive evidence of vote theft exists.
Rahul Gandhi said Murmu asked the leaders to provide evidence; Mamata Banerjee described the meeting as positive.
- Who
- INDIA bloc leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, met President Droupadi Murmu.
- What
- They submitted a four-point memorandum seeking changes to election administration and alleging vote manipulation.
- Where
- At the President’s office in New Delhi.
- When
- Friday, October 9, according to the second article.
- Why
- The bloc says electoral rolls and elections have been manipulated and argues that voters’ rights need protection.
INDIA Bloc’s claims and demands
Election Commission’s stated position
SIR and electoral rolls
INDIA Bloc’s claims and demands
The bloc alleges large-scale voter deletions and wants the SIR suspended and 13.30 crore names restored.
Election Commission’s stated position
The articles report the Election Commission’s general position that its orders carry legal sanction and follow established statutory procedures; they do not provide a direct response to the bloc’s specific demands.
Election administration
INDIA Bloc’s claims and demands
The bloc alleges vote manipulation and calls for the Chief Election Commissioner’s resignation, repeal of the 2023 law, paper ballots, and annulment of certain recent Assembly elections.
Election Commission’s stated position
The Election Commission has said that differing views within the institution are normal and that its orders follow established procedures. The articles do not report a direct response to the allegations of election manipulation.
Key facts
- Memorandum
- Four demands were presented to President Droupadi Murmu.
- Chief Election Commissioner
- The bloc called for Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
- 2023 law
- The bloc seeks repeal of a law it says grants election commissioners immunity for official acts.
- Electoral rolls
- The memorandum calls for suspending the SIR and restoring 13.30 crore voters allegedly deleted.
- Voting method
- The bloc wants paper ballots used instead of EVMs in all elections.
- Disputed elections
- The bloc seeks annulment of Assembly elections over the previous two years where it claims conclusive evidence of vote theft exists.
- President’s response
- Rahul Gandhi said Murmu asked the delegation to submit evidence; he said she did not deny the allegations.
Quotes
Rahul Gandhi
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha
“There is a much deeper problem than Gyanesh Kumar, and it requires termination of this current government.”
NDTV
“If we continue to push the way we have in the last three-four days, I guarantee this government will fall.”
NDTV
Sources
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