Three parties belonging to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) have called for greater clarity from the Election Commission of India (ECI) over questions surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The statements came after an investigation by The Indian Express reported that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had formally raised objections on at least 14 occasions over a period of 10 months concerning various decisions and processes of the poll panel.
Chirag Paswan Calls for Public Clarification
- Union Minister and LJP (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan said the responsibility for clarifying the Election Commission’s position rests with the poll panel, particularly Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
- Paswan said the clarification should be aimed at the public rather than at Opposition leaders. He stressed that if doubts develop among voters about the electoral process, the Election Commission should clearly explain its position to maintain public confidence.
TDP Seeks Transparency
- TDP Lok Sabha floor leader Lavu Srikrishna Devarayalu also called for appropriate clarification from the Election Commission.
- He said the SIR exercise in Andhra Pradesh had been conducted transparently, while adding that the Election Commission is a constitutional institution with an important responsibility in a democracy. According to his remarks reported by The Indian Express, addressing questions and maintaining transparency would help strengthen public confidence in the institution.
RLM Chief Upendra Kushwaha Raises Concerns
- Rashtriya Lok Morcha chief and Rajya Sabha MP Upendra Kushwaha also called for the Election Commission to clarify the issues being raised.
- Kushwaha said concerns surrounding the functioning of the poll panel should be addressed and that the Commission should explain its position to remove confusion among voters.
What Did the Indian Express Report Say?
- The Indian Express investigation published on September 23 reported that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had recorded at least 14 objections over 10 months.
- According to the report, the objections concerned several aspects of the Election Commission’s functioning, including voter registration, deletion and restoration of names, electoral roll decisions and access to systems used for maintaining voter records. Some of the reported issues were connected with the SIR process.
- The report has led to renewed political discussion about the functioning of the three member Election Commission.
Election Commission Rejects Suggestion of a Rift
- The Election Commission has rejected the interpretation that differences recorded by its members represent a breakdown or split within the poll panel.
- In its response, the ECI said that differing views, written observations, technical suggestions and internal checks are normal parts of institutional decision-making. It also maintained that decisions taken by the Commission, including those concerning SIR, were unanimous.
SIR Debate Continues
- The controversy comes amid continuing political debate over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and the procedures used to add, delete or restore voter names.
- The Election Commission has maintained that electoral roll revision is intended to ensure accurate voter lists and identify ineligible, deceased, duplicate or shifted voters while protecting the rights of eligible electors.
- Opposition parties have raised concerns about the possible exclusion of genuine voters, while the ECI has rejected allegations of political manipulation and defended the process.
- Against this backdrop, the calls from three NDA allies for greater clarification have added another dimension to the ongoing debate.
- For now, the central issue remains the Election Commission’s explanation of the reported objections, the SIR process and the safeguards in place to protect eligible voters.
