NEW DELHI, September 28: The political confrontation over the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls intensified on Monday, with opposition parties continuing to question the poll body’s handling of the exercise while BJP leaders defended the Commission and rejected allegations of bias.
The controversy has centred on the functioning of the Election Commission, reported differences during internal deliberations, changes connected with voter registration and the process being followed to revise electoral rolls.
Opposition Steps Up Attack Over SIR
Congress and several other opposition parties have intensified their criticism of the SIR exercise.
Opposition leaders have alleged that weaknesses in the voter verification and deletion process could affect eligible voters and have demanded greater transparency from the Election Commission.
Some parties have also called for the removal or resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
BJP Defends Election Commission
BJP leaders have rejected the opposition’s allegations and defended the Election Commission’s handling of the electoral-roll revision.
The party has argued that differences or observations raised during internal discussions do not automatically indicate disagreement with the Commission’s final decisions.
BJP leaders have also accused the opposition of attempting to undermine confidence in constitutional institutions.
Election Commission Says Final Decisions Were Unanimous
The Election Commission has maintained that its major decisions relating to the SIR were taken with the unanimous approval of all three Election Commissioners.
The Commission has said that officials may express different observations and suggestions while policies are being considered, but final decisions are taken collectively after deliberation.
It has rejected suggestions that internal discussions necessarily represented a split within the institution.
Internal Deliberations Trigger Political Controversy
The latest confrontation followed reports concerning objections and observations made during internal Election Commission discussions over the past several months.
The issues reportedly involved aspects of voter registration, electoral databases, software systems and procedures connected with the SIR.
Opposition parties have cited these reported internal discussions while questioning how decisions were reached.
The Election Commission, however, has maintained that internal checks and differing observations are part of the normal decision-making process.
EC Orders Review of Digital Platform
Amid the controversy, the Election Commission has decided to conduct a review of its ECINet digital platform.
A committee is expected to examine the functioning of the system and whether its processes comply with applicable election laws and regulations.
The move comes as greater attention is being placed on the role of digital systems in voter registration, verification and electoral-roll management.
Verification Process Made Easier for Voters
The Election Commission has also announced changes aimed at reducing the burden on people receiving notices during the SIR.
In many cases involving unmapped voters or logical discrepancies, voters will no longer be required to personally visit electoral registration offices.
Booth Level Officers can collect documents from voters and upload them for further verification.
Online Hearings Encouraged
Personal hearings are expected to be required only in cases where election officials consider them necessary.
Where hearings are required, authorities have been encouraged to use online methods wherever possible.
The measure is intended to make the verification process more accessible, particularly for elderly voters and people who may find it difficult to visit election offices.
Deadlines Extended in Delhi and Maharashtra
The Election Commission has extended several deadlines connected with the SIR exercise in Delhi and Maharashtra.
The additional time is intended to allow voters to submit documents, file claims and objections and seek corrections to electoral-roll entries.
The extensions came amid demands from political parties and civil society groups for more time to complete the verification process.
Congress Plans High-Level Meeting
The Congress is preparing to hold a Congress Working Committee meeting to discuss its next course of action regarding the Election Commission controversy.
The party is expected to examine political and parliamentary options related to its demand for accountability from the Chief Election Commissioner.
Congress leaders have maintained that the issues raised go beyond routine administrative disagreements and require further scrutiny.
Opposition Parties to Discuss Joint Strategy
A wider group of opposition parties is also expected to meet on September 30 to discuss the SIR controversy.
The meeting is expected to consider whether opposition parties should coordinate further action regarding the Election Commission and the Chief Election Commissioner.
Any formal move seeking removal would have to follow the constitutional procedure applicable to the office.
NDA Leaders Rally Behind Poll Body
Several leaders from the BJP and its allies have publicly defended the Election Commission.
They have argued that the Commission’s clarification regarding unanimous final decisions addresses allegations of an institutional split.
NDA leaders have also said the electoral-roll revision is necessary to maintain accurate voter lists and ensure that eligible voters are correctly registered.
Opposition Says Questions Remain Unanswered
Opposition parties, however, maintain that the Election Commission’s clarification has not addressed all of their concerns.
They are seeking additional explanations concerning voter registration procedures, deletion of names, digital systems and the reported objections raised during internal discussions.
The opposition has also demanded stronger safeguards to ensure that eligible citizens are not removed from electoral rolls because of procedural or documentation-related problems.
SIR Remains at Centre of Political Battle
The Special Intensive Revision is intended to update electoral rolls and identify changes involving deaths, migration, duplicate registrations and voter eligibility.
The Election Commission says the exercise is aimed at improving the accuracy of electoral rolls.
Opposition parties have said they support accurate voter lists but argue that the process must include sufficient safeguards to prevent eligible voters from being excluded.
Political Row Likely to Continue
With the Congress preparing further discussions and opposition parties planning a broader meeting, the controversy is likely to remain a major political issue in the coming days.
The Election Commission continues to defend the legality and procedures of the SIR exercise, while opposition parties are pressing for greater transparency and accountability.
The dispute has therefore developed into a wider political debate over voter-roll management, electoral administration and public confidence in the country’s election process.
Source – Election Commission of India / Hindustan Times / India Today / Economic Times Hindustan Times
Supreme News Network
