INDIA bloc lists 6 demands over ECI row, seeks ballot voting instead of EVMs

Senior leaders of the INDIA bloc met in New Delhi on Wednesday to discuss a joint strategy over the Election Commission’s functioning and the ongoing controversy surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, in his opening remarks, placed six key demands before the Opposition alliance. The proposals focus on electoral rolls, voter rights, the voting system and accountability of the Election Commission.

Six demands on electoral rolls and voting

The first demand calls for the pre-SIR electoral roll to be used for future elections. The Congress has also sought complete transparency in every revision of electoral rolls, including constituency-wise and booth-wise details of additions, deletions and corrections.

The second demand seeks prior notice, reasons and an effective appeal mechanism before the name of any eligible voter is removed from the electoral roll.

Third, the bloc has called for safeguards to ensure eligible voters are not excluded because of administrative failures, inadequate documentation or lack of awareness.

The fourth demand is a return to ballot voting instead of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), an issue that the Opposition has raised repeatedly in its criticism of the election process.

The fifth proposal focuses on making voter registration simpler and more accessible for young citizens, particularly first-time voters.

The sixth calls for institutional accountability and an Election Commission that, in the Congress' formulation, commands confidence across the political spectrum.

Kharge raises concerns over ECI transparency

Kharge said Opposition parties had raised questions about EVMs and electoral-roll changes for years. He also referred to allegations concerning voter-list changes in Mahadevpura, Aland, Haryana and Maharashtra.

“Across the country, citizens and political parties are raising grave concerns about functioning of the Election Commission. 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. Instead of acknowledging our complaints the Commission looked the other way. In a democracy, institutions must earn public trust through transparency,” Kharge said.

The meeting is part of the Opposition's effort to formulate a common action plan over the SIR exercise and its concerns regarding the Election Commission.

Row over SIR process

The meeting comes days after The Indian Express reported that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi objected on record at least 14 times over the past 10 months to decisions and orders on the SIR (Special Intensive Revision) that they said were issued without their knowledge or recommendation.

Under fire over the red flags raised by two of its commissioners over the SIR process, the EC has asserted that differing views and observations are a normal part of deliberations in any institution and all its orders carry full legal sanction and follow established statutory procedures.

INDIA bloc's earlier meeting

The last meeting of the INDIA bloc had taken place on June 8. Stressing unity against the BJP, the INDIA bloc members had unanimously decided to demand then Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over the NEET-CBSE row and to write to the Chief Justice of India on the SIR exercise and "vote loot".