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Congress Working Committee To Plan Response To Election Commission Dispute
The Congress Working Committee is planning a meeting for September 29.
It will discuss how to challenge Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the government.
Congress wants Kumar removed from his position.
The party is also upset about the SIR process for checking and updating voter lists.
It says some young voters, including Gen Z, could be excluded.
A report said two election commissioners objected to some decisions at least 14 times.
The Election Commission said disagreements can happen during official discussions.
It also said its decisions are legally valid and follow established rules.
The Congress Working Committee will meet on September 29 to discuss its response to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the government.
The party is expected to strategise on its demand for Kumar’s removal and plans to increase pressure over the SIR process.
Congress leaders may also discuss preparations for upcoming elections at the meeting chaired by Mallikarjun Kharge.
Congress alleges that Gen Z voters are being targeted for exclusion and has demanded Kumar’s immediate resignation.
The Election Commission said differing views are normal, and its orders follow statutory procedures and carry full legal sanction.
- Who
- The Congress Working Committee, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, the Election Commission, and commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.
- What
- The Congress will discuss escalating its opposition to Kumar and the government over the SIR process and reported disagreements within the Election Commission.
- Where
- The meeting will be held by the Congress Working Committee; the specific location is not stated.
- When
- The Congress Working Committee is scheduled to meet on September 29; the reported objections occurred during the previous 10 months.
- Why
- Congress wants Kumar removed and is seeking pressure over alleged problems with voter-list changes and the SIR process.
Congress’s Position
Election Commission’s Position
Chief election commissioner’s position
Congress’s Position
Congress is demanding that Gyanesh Kumar resign immediately and is planning to increase pressure for his removal.
Election Commission’s Position
The Election Commission defended its institutional decisions and did not indicate that Kumar should resign.
Reported internal disagreements
Congress’s Position
Congress is using reports of objections by Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi to challenge the conduct of the SIR process and the government.
Election Commission’s Position
The Election Commission said differing views and observations are a normal part of deliberations in any institution.
Legality of election-roll decisions
Congress’s Position
Congress alleges that the process could exclude Gen Z voters and has raised concerns about changes to voter registration and electoral rolls.
Election Commission’s Position
The Election Commission said its orders carry full legal sanction, follow established statutory procedures, and that all officers may offer suggestions to improve the electoral system.
Key facts
- Meeting date
- September 29
- Meeting chair
- Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge
- Main demand
- Congress is demanding the removal and immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
- Disputed process
- The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls
- Reported objections
- Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi reportedly objected on record at least 14 times over 10 months.
- Issues cited
- Changes to Form 6, voter-list additions and deletions, and centralised control of the electoral-roll database.
- Election Commission response
- It said differing views are normal and its orders have legal sanction and follow statutory procedures.
Sources
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