Union Minister Kumaraswamy and NDA Allies Demand Election...
Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and ruling NDA alliance partners have called on the Election Commission of India to publicly clarify reports of...
By GT24x7 Reporter··GlobalToday24x7
Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Saturday called upon the Election Commission of India (ECI) to address growing public questions and media reports regarding internal operational differences over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Kumaraswamy emphasized that as an autonomous constitutional authority, the Election Commission holds the primary responsibility to inform the country about its internal deliberations and the ground reality of its decision-making procedures.
Addressing reporters in New Delhi, the Union Minister stated that the public needs clarity regarding the actual situation within the three-member commission. "It is not the question of demands by any party or any leader. The responsibility of the Election Commission, that is important. What is the ground reality? What is going on inside the Election Commission?" Kumaraswamy remarked. He added that the poll panel must distinguish between public perception created by media reports and institutional facts, urging Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and fellow Commissioners to spell out the facts clearly.
NDA Constituents Urge Public Transparency from Poll Panel
Kumaraswamy's statements align with positions expressed by several key constituents of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan stated on Friday that while he does not intend to defend the constitutional body, the ECI must proactively address questions to maintain public confidence in the democratic system. Paswan stressed that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar should present the poll body's position firmly to dispel misgivings among citizens.
Similarly, Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) president Upendra Kushwaha urged the poll panel to issue an immediate public clarification to end confusion surrounding the SIR exercise. Telugu Desam Party (TDP) parliamentary floor leader Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu noted that while the SIR process was conducted transparently in Andhra Pradesh, providing formal clarifications on institutional questions reinforces public trust in constitutional mechanisms. Conversely, Janata Dal (United) spokespersons pointed out that opposition parties had not submitted formal statutory complaints despite making public allegations regarding electoral rolls.
Media Report on Internal Dissent and ECI Response
The political discussions follow investigative reports published by *The Indian Express* on September 23, which alleged that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had recorded formal written objections on at least 14 occasions over a 10-month period. The reports claimed the objections pertained to procedural aspects of the SIR, changes to voter registration Form 6, and the administrative centralization of the ERONet voter database system.
In response to the reports, official sources within the Election Commission maintained that internal discussions, technical notes, and queries are standard components of the institution's deliberative decision-making process. The ECI stated that all final administrative decisions, including those governing the Special Intensive Revision exercise, were taken unanimously by the full commission in compliance with statutory frameworks.
Opposition Attacks and Claims of Voter Deletion
The controversy has drawn sharp political reactions from opposition alliance parties. Leaders from the Indian National Congress and regional parties have demanded the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar and called for a pause on the nationwide rollout of the SIR process. Opposition spokespersons alleged that the revision exercise resulted in the deletion of legitimate voters from marginalized communities across various states, including Bihar, West Bengal, and Jharkhand.
In Jharkhand, Minister Irfan Ansari publicly alleged that names of minority and underprivileged voters were omitted during the updating process. Electoral officials have consis...