1 hr ago
Election Commission Rejects Opposition MPs' Meeting Request Amid Protest
Opposition politicians in Delhi wanted to meet the Election Commission about changes to voter lists.
They also called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign.
Police stopped the group from marching to the Commission's office, and several leaders were briefly detained before being released.
Rahul Gandhi said about 300 opposition MPs wanted to raise questions, while the Commission said police informed it of a request involving about 240 MPs.
The Commission said its usual rules require meetings to be arranged in advance and held at its premises.
It offered to send a senior official to receive a written message at the MPs' proposed location, but said the MPs declined.
Opposition groups say the voter-list changes are unfair, while the Commission and the governing BJP deny the claims.
Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders protested in Delhi, seeking a meeting with the Election Commission and demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation over the electoral-roll revision.
Police prevented the protesters from marching to the Commission's office and temporarily detained Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav; they were later released.
The Election Commission said no political party had requested an appointment through its representatives by 4 p.m.; it learned of the proposed delegation from Delhi Police.
The Commission said its 2025 protocol requires meetings at its premises, by appointment, and considered a proposed meeting of about 240 MPs at Parliament House Annexe unusual.
The Commission offered to send its senior-most officer on duty to receive the MPs' memorandum at the proposed venue, but said the MPs declined; opposition groups dispute the electoral-roll process, while the Commission and BJP deny their allegations.
- Who
- Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Akhilesh Yadav and other opposition MPs; the Election Commission of India.
- What
- Opposition leaders protested and sought a meeting with the Election Commission over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, while demanding Gyanesh Kumar's resignation.
- Where
- Delhi, including Akashvani Bhawan and the proposed meeting venue at Parliament House Annexe.
- When
- Tuesday; the Commission said it was informed of the proposed meeting at around 4 p.m.
- Why
- Opposition leaders wanted to question the Commission about the electoral-roll revision, which they say is unfair.
Opposition leaders
Election Commission and BJP
Electoral-roll revision
Opposition leaders
Opposition groups say the Special Intensive Revision is controversial and has unfairly favoured the BJP; they seek its scrapping.
Election Commission and BJP
The Election Commission and the BJP deny the opposition's allegations.
Request to meet the Commission
Opposition leaders
Rahul Gandhi said opposition MPs wanted to meet the Election Commissioners to put questions to them and submit a memorandum.
Election Commission and BJP
The ECI said no political party had sought an appointment through its representatives by 4 p.m.; it considered the proposed venue and format unusual under its protocol.
Key facts
- Commission
- Election Commission of India (ECI)
- Chief Election Commissioner
- Gyanesh Kumar
- Opposition leader
- Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha
- Proposed delegation
- Around 240 MPs, according to the ECI's account of information from Delhi Police
- Appointment information
- The ECI said it had received no appointment request from a political party by 4 p.m.
- ECI meeting protocol
- The Commission said its 2025 procedure calls for meetings at ECI premises at a mutually agreed time.
- ECI alternative offer
- It offered to send its senior-most officer on duty to receive the memorandum at the proposed venue; the MPs declined, according to the ECI.
Quotes
Election Commission of India
India’s constitutional body responsible for administering elections
“Whenever a delegation of a political party, or a joint delegation of several parties, wishes to meet the Commission, it seeks an appointment through its duly Authorised Representative. The meeting is thereafter held at a time mutually agreed upon by both sides.”
livemint.com
“I fail to understand why the elected representatives aren’t being allowed to protest and go to the Election Commission.”
livemint.com
Sources
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