2 hrs ago
Congress Challenges Election Commission Over Internal Decision-Making Dispute
Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi criticized how India’s Election Commission is making some decisions.
He said the chief commissioner appeared to have much more influence than the other two commissioners.
A newspaper report said the two other commissioners objected to decisions at least 14 times.
The disagreements reportedly included a change to the form used by new voters.
The report also mentioned concerns about centralising voter-roll information.
The Election Commission said disagreements are a normal part of institutional discussions.
BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra also said that discussion among commissioners shows democracy at work.
Singhvi rejected those explanations and called for the chief commissioner’s resignation.
Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of concentrating decision-making authority.
A report said Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi formally objected to poll-body decisions at least 14 times.
The reported disputes included changes to Form 6 and alleged centralisation of the electoral-roll database.
The Election Commission said differing views are normal and argued the report overlooked its approvals, decisions and initiatives.
Singhvi demanded Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and said Congress would pursue an impeachment motion.
- Who
- Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, and BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra.
- What
- A political dispute over alleged concentration of authority and internal disagreements within the Election Commission of India.
- Where
- India, within the Election Commission of India and in public political statements.
- When
- The report cited by Singhvi covered internal notes from a 10-month period; the article does not give a specific date for the latest statements.
- Why
- Singhvi said the reported objections, Form 6 changes, alleged database centralisation and other decisions raised concerns about democratic oversight.
Congress criticism
Election Commission and BJP response
Decision-making authority
Congress criticism
Singhvi argued that Gyanesh Kumar exercised disproportionate influence, saying the commission did not reflect the democratic principle of one person, one vote.
Election Commission and BJP response
The Election Commission said differing views are normal and said the report omitted approvals, decisions, instructions and initiatives. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said deliberation among commissioners reflects democracy.
Reported internal objections
Congress criticism
Singhvi said the reported objections showed serious governance problems and claimed the commission’s statement failed to answer the report’s specific concerns.
Election Commission and BJP response
The Election Commission rejected the broader implication of the report, describing its material as internal notes collected over 10 months rather than a complete account of its work.
Form 6 and voter rolls
Congress criticism
Singhvi questioned why Form 6 had not returned to its previous version and raised concerns about how the reported SIR-related requirement could affect future first-time voters.
Election Commission and BJP response
The article does not report a specific response from the Election Commission or BJP addressing Singhvi’s detailed questions about Form 6 and the claimed impact on children of excluded voters.
Key facts
- Reported objections
- Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi reportedly objected on record at least 14 times.
- Disputed form
- The report said Form 6 was amended to ask whether applicants’ parents or grandparents appeared on the electoral roll of the last SIR.
- Election Commission response
- The commission said differing views and observations are normal parts of institutional deliberation.
- Singhvi’s criticism
- He characterized the arrangement as one man having 10 votes while two men had zero votes.
- Appeals cited
- Singhvi said 1.6 million appeals had been filed without apparent authorization from the commission collectively.
- Voter-roll claim
- Singhvi claimed that 13 crore voters had been excluded through SIR; the article attributes this figure to him.
- Congress demand
- Singhvi said Congress would seek Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and pursue an impeachment motion.
Quotes
Abhisek Manu Singhvi
Congress leader criticizing the Election Commission's internal decision-making.
“There is no doubt that we call for his resignation, and we call for an impeachment motion which has already been filed. We don't know what happened to it. But I am sure it will be filed again.”
NDTV
“So, you don't have one man, one vote within the Election Commission; what will it entrust to the country?”
NDTV
Sources
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