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Congress Unveils Nationwide Vote Bachao Campaign, Plans Delhi Rally
The Congress says some people may have been wrongly removed from voter lists during a review called the SIR.
It says this could make it harder for eligible people to vote.
The Election Commission disagrees with the allegations and says the review follows its legal powers.
It also says voters can ask for mistakes to be corrected.
The Congress plans marches, village meetings and other activities across the country.
It has scheduled a large rally in Delhi for November 1.
The party also plans a “Delhi Chalo” gathering on November 25 and 26.
It says its campaign will continue until the issues it has raised are addressed.
The Congress announced a nationwide “Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao” campaign beginning October 10 over alleged irregularities in the Election Commission’s voter-roll revision.
The party says it will continue its agitation until Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar is removed and electoral-system flaws are corrected.
Block-level marches are scheduled for October 10–20, followed by village meetings from October 25 to November 25.
The Congress plans a rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on November 1 and a “Delhi Chalo” mobilisation on November 25–26.
The Election Commission rejects the party’s allegations and says the revision is authorised by law, with safeguards for voters to file claims and objections.
- Who
- The Congress party, led at the meeting by Mallikarjun Kharge, with Rahul Gandhi and K C Venugopal among those attending; the Election Commission disputes the party’s claims.
- What
- The Congress announced a nationwide campaign against alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
- Where
- Across India, with a major rally planned at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi.
- When
- The campaign is set to begin October 10, with events scheduled through November 26; the article does not specify a year.
- Why
- The Congress says the revision could unfairly remove eligible voters and is demanding transparency and changes to the electoral process; the Election Commission says the process is lawful and provides safeguards.
Congress allegations
Election Commission response
Voter-roll revision
Congress allegations
The Congress alleges the Special Intensive Revision could delete large numbers of eligible voters and says the process lacks sufficient transparency.
Election Commission response
The Election Commission says the revision is being conducted under its constitutional and statutory authority, with safeguards allowing eligible voters to file claims and objections.
Electoral irregularities
Congress allegations
Rahul Gandhi and the Congress allege electoral forms were manipulated and describe the issue as “vote chori.”
Election Commission response
The Election Commission rejects the allegations, has issued fact-checks, and says the Bihar SIR order was approved unanimously by the full Commission.
Key facts
- Campaign slogan
- “Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao”
- Campaign start
- October 10
- Block-level marches
- October 10–20, ending at Sub-Divisional Magistrate offices
- Village meetings
- “Village chaupals” scheduled from October 25 to November 25
- Delhi rally
- Ramlila Maidan, November 1
- Delhi Chalo programme
- November 25–26, with six vehicle yatras planned to converge on the capital
- Congress demand
- Removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and correction of what the party calls systemic electoral flaws
- Election Commission position
- It says the revision is within its constitutional and statutory authority and that eligible voters can file claims and objections.
Quotes
K C Venugopal
Congress general secretary (organisation), who announced the campaign.
“Congress President has given a clear direction today to the PCC Presidents, In-charges, and General Secretaries for an aggressive, nationwide campaign against vote theft — ‘Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao’. This is the slogan we are raising.”
thestatesman.com
“This agitation is not going to end tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. This will be a continuous, aggressive campaign till Gyanesh Kumar is removed and the system has to be corrected.”
thestatesman.com
Sources
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