New Delhi, Sep 30 (SocialNews.XYZ) Former Union Minister and Congress leader P. Chidambaram on Wednesday criticised the Election Commission of India (ECI) over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process of electoral rolls, alleging that it has been marred by serious concerns and disagreements within the poll panel.
Speaking to IANS, Chidambaram said, “The Election Commission is totally wrong. The SIR process has been doubted by the two Election Commissioners, and they have pointed out that there were 14 disagreements between the Election Commissioners and the Chief Election Commissioner.”
He further referred to alleged errors in the electoral revision process in several states, including Karnataka, Maharashtra and Haryana.
“Too many mistakes have been pointed out in Karnataka, Maharashtra and Haryana. So many mistakes have been pointed out in the past. The SIR process is deeply flawed. If it was not flawed, why should the Election Commission meet again and change the process? What happened a few days ago should be totally scrapped,” he said.
Reports of differences within the three-member Election Commission over aspects of the SIR exercise have triggered a political controversy. According to reports, Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections on several issues over a period of 10 months.
The Election Commission, however, has maintained that the final decisions on the SIR exercise were unanimous and that the observations raised during the process were part of its deliberations.
The INDIA bloc is scheduled to hold a meeting in New Delhi on Wednesday to discuss the Election Commission row and chalk out a joint strategy on the SIR process. The meeting is also expected to consider plans for a nationwide agitation, including protests and public rallies against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. An impeachment motion against him in Parliament is also expected to be discussed.
The meeting comes after the Congress Working Committee adopted a resolution seeking CEC Kumar’s removal and raising concerns over the functioning of the Election Commission.
The Opposition has intensified its criticism of the poll panel following reports about the differences between the two Election Commissioners and the CEC over electoral roll revisions. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has also alleged irregularities in the electoral process, while the Election Commission has rejected claims that its decisions were taken without the approval of its members.
The Opposition's proposed campaign is expected to begin with a series of rallies, including one at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan, followed by programmes in different states. The INDIA bloc may also announce the date of its first major rally during the meeting.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi are expected to represent Congress. Trinamool Congress leaders Mamata Banerjee, Abhishek Banerjee, Kalyan Banerjee and Derek O'Brien are also expected to attend. Leaders of Left parties are likely to participate as well.
Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader Hemant Soren, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, NCP's Supriya Sule, National Conference chief Omar Abdullah and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti are among the other leaders expected to join the meeting. Shiv Sena(UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray is expected to participate virtually.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav is not likely to attend the meeting, with senior party leader Harendra Malik set to represent the party.
Source: IANS
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