Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has intensified his attack on the Election Commission over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, alleging that the exercise threatens voting rights and the constitutional authority flowing from the ballot.
Speaking in New Delhi on Thursday, Gandhi said the controversy went beyond alleged irregularities in voter lists. He argued that the vote formed the foundation of the constitutional system and that any manipulation of electoral rolls would consequently undermine laws and public institutions.
“This is not just an attack on the vote,” Gandhi said, describing it as an assault on the expression of citizens. He also demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and called for scrutiny of decisions taken during the revision process.
His remarks followed an investigation that reported Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had formally raised at least 14 objections over 10 months concerning electoral-roll administration. The disputed issues included voter registration and deletion, changes to Form 6, appeals concerning restoration of voters and access to electoral-roll databases.
The report said the two commissioners questioned decisions they maintained had been taken without their knowledge or approval, while also raising concerns about greater centralisation of software controlling electoral rolls.
The Election Commission has disputed suggestions that the objections represented disagreement over its final decisions. It has maintained that internal notes, questions and suggestions form part of normal administrative deliberations and that decisions concerning the SIR were ultimately unanimous.
The controversy has widened beyond Congress, with Opposition parties preparing fresh parliamentary moves seeking Kumar’s removal following the disclosures.
