Ranchi/New Delhi: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has raised serious questions over the functioning of the Election Commission of India (ECI) in connection with the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demanded an immediate halt to the process. The party has also demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the CPI(M) said reports published by The Indian Express regarding the SIR process had raised serious concerns over the transparency of the electoral process and the institutional credibility of the Election Commission.
The party claimed that two of the three Election Commissioners had raised objections to several decisions related to the revision of electoral rolls and the SIR exercise.
The CPI(M) said that under the law, all three Election Commissioners have equal status and that decisions in case of differences should be taken either unanimously or by majority. The party alleged that the CEC ignored objections raised by his fellow Election Commissioners and proceeded with his decisions.
The party also alleged excessive centralisation in the process of adding or deleting names from electoral rolls during the SIR exercise. It said questions had also been raised over excessive reliance on technology and the “mechanical” process of issuing notices.
According to the CPI(M), the issue goes beyond the SIR exercise and concerns the institutional integrity of the Election Commission, transparency in the electoral process and the protection of universal adult franchise.
The party also called for greater transparency in the appointment of Election Commissioners and demanded changes in the existing appointment mechanism. It sought the adoption of a selection committee comprising the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India, referring to earlier Supreme Court directions on the issue.
— Prakash Vipulav
Member, Central Committee, CPI(M)
Statement issue
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