Election Commission Defends Internal Dissent as Normal Deliberative Process; BJP Says Differences Reflect Democratic Functioning
New Delhi, Sept 24 :
A political confrontation has intensified over the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, with several Opposition parties demanding action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, including his removal and, in some cases, criminal proceedings and arrest.
The controversy follows a report that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections on multiple occasions over decisions and orders relating to electoral-roll management and the SIR exercise. According to the report, the two Commissioners recorded objections at least 14 times over a period of 10 months.
The reported disagreements have prompted Opposition parties including the Congress, TMC, AAP, DMK, Samajwadi Party and Left parties to renew criticism of the Election Commission and seek greater scrutiny of its functioning. Some Opposition leaders have also called for fresh elections in states where polls were held following the SIR exercise.
EC Says Differences Are Part of Institutional Deliberations
Responding to the controversy, the Election Commission said that written notes, observations, technical suggestions and internal checks and balances are part of the normal functioning of a multi-member constitutional body.
The Commission maintained that its official decisions, orders and administrative directions carry legal sanction and said that differing views expressed during deliberations do not indicate a breakdown in its functioning. It further stated that the final decisions taken by the Commission over the past year were unanimous.
Opposition Renews Demand for CEC’s Removal
Congress leaders have renewed their demand for the removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge referred to an earlier notice of motion submitted by Opposition Rajya Sabha MPs seeking Kumar’s removal and questioned whether the pending matter would now be taken up by the Rajya Sabha Chairman.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also reiterated his allegations concerning the electoral-roll process, while other Opposition leaders demanded an investigation into the reported objections raised within the Election Commission.
AAP, TMC and Other Parties Demand Further Action
AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal called for cancellation of the SIR exercise, restoration of earlier electoral rolls and fresh elections in certain states, besides seeking criminal action against the CEC.
TMC leader Derek O’Brien called for proceedings against the CEC, while West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee demanded Kumar’s removal and arrest and sought fresh elections in West Bengal using the earlier electoral roll.
DMK president M.K. Stalin also demanded the CEC’s resignation or removal and called for an investigation into the issues surrounding the SIR process.
Omar Abdullah Calls for Corrective Measures
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the controversy raised questions about the functioning of the Election Commission and called for corrective steps to ensure that public confidence in the electoral process is maintained.
Abdullah said that elections are fundamental to democracy and stressed the importance of ensuring that people do not lose faith in the electoral system.
BJP Defends Election Commission
The BJP rejected the Opposition’s allegations and defended the reported differences between Election Commissioners as part of normal institutional deliberations.
BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said that the exchange of differing views among Election Commissioners demonstrates that deliberations take place within the constitutional body.
SIR Process at Centre of Dispute
The Special Intensive Revision has become a major political issue since its expansion beyond Bihar. The reported internal objections concern matters including voter registration, deletion and restoration of names, changes involving electoral forms and aspects of electoral-roll administration.
The Election Commission, however, has maintained that the SIR process and its other electoral reforms are being carried out within the constitutional and statutory framework.
The dispute is now likely to remain a major issue for political parties and Parliament, with the Opposition pressing for greater scrutiny of the Election Commission while the poll panel maintains that its internal deliberations are a normal part of institutional decision-making. (KNC)