New Delhi: The INDIA bloc has renewed its call for voting through ballot papers amid the ongoing row over the Election Commission’s functioning and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Kharge argued that the move was necessary to restore confidence in the electoral system.
“On EVMs, our position should also be clear. These are machines that BJP decides to use as per its needs, in Rahul Ji’s words- to win, get a hung house or lose an election. So we cannot allow them to use these machines any further, we must go back to Ballot votes to restore faith and confidence in India’s election system,” Kharge said.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, speaking at the INDIA bloc meeting, listed six demands, including the use of pre-SIR electoral rolls for future elections, an effective appeal mechanism before a voter is removed from the rolls, protection of eligible voters from exclusion due to administrative failures, voting through ballots, simple and accessible voter registration for first-time voters and greater institutional accountability.
Kharge also stepped up his criticism of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, calling for his removal and referring to reported objections by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi over decisions taken during the SIR exercise.
The demand to return to ballot voting marks a significant shift from India’s gradual transition to EVMs. The Election Commission says EVMs were first used in the Parur Assembly constituency in Kerala in 1982. Their use expanded over the following years, with EVMs eventually replacing ballot papers across elections.
“For years, we have demanded answers on EVMs. We have raised questions about voter-list manipulation and unexplained changes in electoral rolls. Rahul ji showed it with proof that it was done in Mahadevpura, Aland, Haryana and Maharashtra. In the same manner parties of the INDIA group all raised questions and objections in this regard. But alas all in vain,” Kharge said.
Kharge said the Election Commission subsequently resorted to SIR after the Opposition raised questions and presented what he described as data and proof.
“Once cornered by enough data and proof given by us, the Election Commission resorted to SIR. The Election Commission says that Special Intensive Revision is intended to clean and update electoral rolls. But when such an exercise can result in very large numbers of voters being excluded or required to establish their eligibility again, the burden must be on the System to ensure that no genuine voter is disenfranchised,” he said.
He further alleged that 13.3 crore voters had been removed from the electoral rolls.
Kharge Targets CEC Gyanesh Kumar
Kharge then directly targeted CEC Gyanesh Kumar, referring to the reported 14 objections recorded by Sandhu and Joshi over a 10-month period.
The Indian Express had reported that Sandhu and Joshi formally objected on record at least 14 times to decisions taken by the poll panel, including over issues linked to voter deletions, new voter additions, Form 6 changes and the SIR exercise.
“There can be no credible election without an Independent and impartial Election Commission as envisioned in Article 324 of the Constitution,” Kharge said.
“Today our Chief Election Commissioner stands totally exposed. His two fellow members have written 14 times in 10 months! It questions his very integrity and intentions. Therefore, he should be removed from his position. If he has even an iota of Constitutional or moral shame left in him, he will resign himself and turn approver against the powers who are interfering in our ELECTORAL ROLLS!”
The Election Commission has maintained that differences and deliberations within the three-member panel are part of its functioning, while the BJP has rejected the Opposition’s allegations. The EC has also said that its decisions carry legal sanction and follow established procedures.
Kharge Raises 2023 Election Law
Kharge also linked the current controversy to the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023, which subsequently became law.
“Now we know why the PM brought the ‘Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023’, to remove CJI from the selection panel of the Election Commission and instead replaced by a Minister. Further, it has been provided in that Bill (which has now become an Act) that “notwithstanding other laws, no court could entertain or continue civil or criminal proceedings against a person who was or had been CEC/EC for an act, thing, or word committed, done, or spoken while discharging official duty or function.” Thus a blanket immunity for life had been provided to CEC /EC. Because PM Modi and Amit Shah want a rubber stamp who can help them remain in power. In fact they are the real culprits. They broke several parties and election commission’s role has been more of a facilitator rather than an impartial arbitrator.”
Kharge also referred to a Supreme Court observation on the composition of the selection committee for Election Commissioners.
“In this context I also wish to draw attention to Supreme Court’s observation that “the inclusion of a cabinet minister in the selection committee fails to provide the independent counterweight that a neutral selector could, and the cabinet minister would merely echo the voice of his leader, and consequently, the presence of the leader of opposition in the selection committee becomes largely ornamental without furthering the purpose of his inclusion” … It emphasized that “It is not enough for the ECI to be independent; it must also appear to be independent.””
First-Time Voters In Focus
Kharge also raised concerns over young voters and the process of registration for first-time voters.
“Today we must also speak about our young voters. India has one of the world’s largest young populations. Millions of young Indians become eligible to vote every year.”
He alleged that changes to Form 6 had created additional hurdles for young voters.
“By changing the rules in form 6 for enrolling for the first-time-voters by the Election Commission, the youngsters are deliberately being discouraged from voting.”
Kharge said the Opposition’s message to young voters should be clear.
“Our message to them must be: India wants your voice. India needs your vote. Your citizenship gives you that right. Let your voice be heard.”
“Any new procedural requirement that creates unnecessary barriers for first-time voters must therefore be immediately removed.”
Kharge’s 6 Demands
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge laid out six demands for the INDIA bloc, covering electoral rolls, voter deletions, ballot voting, first-time voter registration and accountability of the Election Commission:
- Pre-SIR electoral rolls: The pre-SIR electoral roll should be used for future elections, with complete transparency in every revision, including constituency-wise and booth-wise details of additions, deletions and corrections.
- Notice and appeal: Voters should receive due notice, reasons and an effective appeal mechanism before any legitimate name is removed from the electoral roll.
- Protection from exclusion: Eligible voters should be protected from exclusion caused by administrative failures, inadequate documentation or lack of awareness.
- Ballot voting: Voting should be conducted through ballot papers instead of EVMs.
- Easier registration for young voters: Voter registration should be simple and accessible for young citizens, particularly first-time voters.
- EC accountability: There should be institutional accountability and an Election Commission that commands confidence across the political spectrum.
Kharge’s remarks come a day after the Congress Working Committee also called for the removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar and raised concerns over the SIR exercise. The INDIA bloc meeting is aimed at finalising a joint programme of action and agitation over the issue.