2 hrs ago
Delegation Releases ‘People’s Charge Sheet’ Against Election Chief
A group of former officials and citizens wrote a complaint about India’s chief election official, Gyanesh Kumar.
They say some decisions about voter lists were made improperly.
They also object to changes to a form used by people who want to register to vote.
The group says the voter-list revision may have kept many people from voting.
It asked Kumar to resign or be removed.
The group tried to deliver its letter to the Election Commission.
Barricades stopped them, so they shared it at a press club instead.
The Election Commission has said that regular rules-based forms would apply outside the special revision period.
It has also announced a review of its ECINet platform.
A delegation of former civil servants and citizens tried Monday to deliver a “people’s charge sheet” and impeachment notice to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Barricades blocking routes to Nirvachan Sadan prevented the delegation from delivering the documents; it released them publicly at the Press Club of India.
The letter lists six allegations, including bypassing collective Election Commission decision-making, changing voter-registration Form 6 without authority, and mass disenfranchisement during the Special Intensive Revision.
The delegation calls on Kumar to resign or be removed, arguing that the alleged actions weakened electoral rights and public confidence.
The Election Commission previously said rules-based forms would apply outside the SIR period and announced a review of its ECINet platform’s legal compliance.
- Who
- A delegation of former civil servants and citizens, including Najeeb Jung, G. K. Pillai, Yogendra Yadav and Anjali Bhardwaj, directed allegations at Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
- What
- The delegation released a six-charge “people’s charge sheet” and called for Kumar’s resignation or removal.
- Where
- The delegation attempted to deliver the documents at Nirvachan Sadan in New Delhi and released them at the Press Club of India.
- When
- Monday; the article does not specify the date.
- Why
- The delegation alleges that Kumar’s actions regarding Election Commission decisions and electoral-roll administration violated legal duties and harmed voters’ rights and public confidence.
Delegation’s allegations
Election Commission actions reported
Form 6 changes
Delegation’s allegations
The delegation says the changes to statutory Form 6 lacked lawful authority and could force excluded voters to make false declarations.
Election Commission actions reported
The Election Commission said rules-based forms would be used for the non-SIR period, in what the article describes as an apparent reversal of the changes.
ECINet platform
Delegation’s allegations
The delegation alleges that ECINet undermined the statutory role of Electoral Registration Officers and says its review signals that legal compliance had not been adequately established.
Election Commission actions reported
The Election Commission announced a committee, including an independent expert from an IIT or IIIT, to review whether ECINet complies with applicable Acts and Rules.
Key facts
- Allegations
- The letter sets out six charges against Gyanesh Kumar.
- Requested action
- The delegation asked Kumar to resign or be removed from office.
- Delivery attempt
- Barricades blocked routes to Nirvachan Sadan, preventing delivery.
- Public release
- The letter was released at the Press Club of India.
- Form 6
- The delegation alleges the statutory voter-registration form was altered without authority; the Election Commission said rules-based forms would apply outside the SIR period.
- ECINet review
- The Election Commission announced a committee review of the platform’s compliance with Acts and Rules.
- Removal safeguard cited
- The letter cites Article 324(5), which it says allows removal of the Chief Election Commissioner only for proved misbehaviour or incapacity.
Quotes
The delegation
A group of former civil servants and citizens that issued the charge sheet against the Chief Election Commissioner.
“We therefore ask you (Gyanesh Kumar) to resign and avoid any further disgrace. Otherwise, we, the people of India, are compelled to serve upon you this notice of impeachment and demand your removal from office.”
theprint.in
“You can no longer be a referee in a game where you are widely perceived to be aligned with a player.”
theprint.in
Sources
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