1 hr ago
Supreme Court Notices on Election Commission Decisions Spur Political Clash
The Supreme Court has asked the Election Commission and the government to respond to complaints about some election-related decisions.
The complaints say the decisions were made without agreement from all three Election Commissioners.
Congress says the chief election commissioner acted wrongly and criticizes changes to a voter form.
The Election Commission says its decisions followed the law and that the full Commission approved the relevant press note.
It also says the note was never removed from its website.
The BJP says disagreements followed by discussion show democracy is working.
The court’s notices mean the matter is being examined, but the article does not report a final ruling.
The Supreme Court issued notices to the Election Commission of India and the Centre over petitions alleging some decisions lacked approval from the other two Election Commissioners.
Congress accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of violating the law and Constitution, including through changes to Form 6.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the changes were made to remove young voters; these were allegations by the party.
The Election Commission of India said its orders had legal sanction and followed statutory procedures, and that the September 26 press note was approved by the full Commission and remained online.
The BJP said differences within the Commission that were discussed before a decision was reached showed that democracy was functioning.
- Who
- The Supreme Court of India, the Election Commission of India, the Centre, Congress and the BJP.
- What
- The Supreme Court issued notices over petitions alleging some Election Commission decisions lacked approval from the other two commissioners.
- Where
- India.
- When
- The article says the notices were issued but does not give a date; it refers to a September 26 press note.
- Why
- The petitions allege that the poll body made decisions without approval from the other two Election Commissioners.
Critics
Election Commission and BJP
Decisions and institutional process
Critics
The petitions allege that some Election Commission decisions were made without approval from the other two commissioners; Congress accused the chief commissioner of unlawful conduct.
Election Commission and BJP
The Election Commission said its orders followed statutory procedures and had legal sanction. The BJP said internal differences were discussed before a decision was made.
Form 6 changes and press note
Critics
Jairam Ramesh alleged that the Form 6 modification was deliberate and aimed at removing young voters.
Election Commission and BJP
The Election Commission said its September 26 press note, including the revised procedure, was approved by the full Commission and was never removed from its website.
Key facts
- Court action
- The Supreme Court issued notices to the Election Commission of India and the Centre.
- Central allegation
- Petitions allege that some decisions were made without approval from the other two Election Commissioners.
- Congress position
- Congress accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of violating the law and Constitution.
- Form 6 dispute
- Jairam Ramesh alleged that a modification to Form 6 was intended to delete young voters.
- Election Commission response
- The Commission said its orders had legal sanction and followed statutory procedures.
- Press note
- The Commission said the September 26 note was approved by the full Commission and was never taken down from its website.
- BJP response
- The BJP said discussion of differing views before a decision showed democracy was functioning.
Quotes
Election Commission of India
India's national election authority
“The Supreme Court would do well to note that trust was based on decades of propriety and competent conduct starting with the late great Sukumar Sen, the first CEC who set the bar for how elections are to be conducted. None of that goodwill can be claimed by Gyanesh Kumar,”
thehansindia.com
“In reality, the CEC has not only lied but also violated the law and betrayed the Constitution in letter and spirit at the behest of the PM and the HM,”
thehansindia.com
Sources
Related news
Congress Accuses Election Chief of Constitutional Betrayal After Court Notice
Supreme Court Seeks Responses in Pleas Against CEC
Opposition Demands CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s Removal Over SIR Dissent
Rahul Gandhi Says Gyanesh Kumar Changed Form 6 Illegally
Supreme Court Reviews Election Commission Decisions, Issues Notices
Opposition Escalates Impeachment Push Against CEC Over SIR Dispute
BJP Names Eight Uttar Pradesh Rajya Sabha Candidates, Drops Incumbents
Karnataka BJP Workers Detained in Form 7 FIR Protest
Can Suvendu Adhikari Break Nandigram’s Minority Voting Wall?
BJP Names Eight Uttar Pradesh Rajya Sabha Candidates, Drops Incumbents
Awadhesh Prasad Says Samajwadi Party Can Defeat BJP
