1 hr ago
Opposition Targets Election Commission Over Reported Voter Roll Concerns
A newspaper reported that two election commissioners were unhappy with some decisions by India’s election body.
They said they were not properly informed about adding new voters and deleting names.
They called some steps unauthorised and illegal.
They also worried that voter information could be controlled from Delhi instead of by state officials.
The Congress party criticised Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
It accused him of behaving like a dictator and helping Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
These claims are based on the report and the Opposition’s reaction.
The article does not include a response from Gyanesh Kumar or the Election Commission.
An Indian Express report said two of three election commissioners objected to certain Election Commission steps.
Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi reportedly complained about being kept uninformed.
They called steps involving new voters “unauthorised” and “illegal,” according to the report.
The commissioners warned that voter database access could be centralised in Delhi, bypassing state officials.
The Congress accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of acting dictatorially and engaging in alleged “vote theft.”
- Who
- The Election Commission of India, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, and the Congress.
- What
- Two election commissioners reportedly objected to how new voters were added, names were deleted, and voter database access was handled.
- Where
- The reported concern involved voter database access being centralised in Delhi, potentially bypassing state officials.
- When
- The timing is not specified in the article.
- Why
- The commissioners reportedly objected to a lack of information and what they described as unauthorised or illegal steps; the Congress alleged the actions were intended to please Narendra Modi.
Opposition Allegations
Reported Commissioner Concerns
Handling of voter records
Opposition Allegations
The Congress accused the Chief Election Commissioner of enabling alleged “vote theft” to please Narendra Modi.
Reported Commissioner Concerns
Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi reportedly objected to steps involving new voters and deleted names, calling some actions unauthorised and illegal.
Control of voter data
Opposition Allegations
The Opposition portrayed the reported actions as evidence of improper control over the election process.
Reported Commissioner Concerns
The two commissioners warned against centralising voter database access in Delhi and bypassing state officials.
Key facts
- Report
- The Indian Express reported disagreements within the Election Commission.
- Commissioners raising concerns
- Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.
- Commission size
- Two of the three election commissioners reportedly raised objections.
- Disputed actions
- Adding new voters and deleting names.
- Commissioners' characterization
- The steps were described as “unauthorised” and “illegal.”
- Database concern
- Access could be centralised in Delhi, bypassing state officials.
- Political reaction
- The Congress accused Gyanesh Kumar of acting dictatorially and engaging in alleged “vote theft.”
Quotes
Congress
India’s principal opposition party, reacting to the reported findings
“Gyanesh is ruling like a dictator just like his boss Modi and is engaged in ‘vote theft’ to please Modi [sic].”
indianexpress.com








