On September 25, Congress MP Manish Tewari underscored significant integrity issues concerning the Election Commission of India (ECI). He stated that the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) should resign and advocated for the establishment of a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to investigate the operations of the election body. Tewari alleged widespread deletions from the electoral rolls and highlighted the need for transparency in the electoral process.

During a press conference, Tewari articulated that every deletion from the electoral rolls, which he estimated at approximately 13 crore, should be made available on the ECI’s website, complete with reasons. He insisted that affected individuals should be granted an opportunity to reinstate their names on the rolls, describing the current situation as concerning.

Tewari further questioned the Election Commission’s reasoning for the removal of voters and the clarification regarding duplicate or phantom voters. He noted that if duplicates existed, one would expect an increase in the total number of voters, which has not been observed.

Concerns over Centralisation and Access of Electoral Rolls

The Congress MP raised alarm over reports suggesting the centralisation of electoral roll management, which purportedly restricts local electoral officers from accessing vital information. Tewari argued that limiting access to electoral rolls undermines the integrity of the democratic process. He insisted that if the electoral rolls are compromised, it poses a serious threat to democracy itself.

Tewari’s comments follow a pattern of increasing complaints and concerns regarding how the electoral roll management process is being conducted. Reports indicating that the Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs) are being either denied access or selectively favoured have drawn sharp criticism.

He emphasised that the transparency of the electoral process is paramount, drawing attention to the importance of maintaining trust in the democratic system. The alleged centralisation appears to contradict the principles of fairness and accessibility in election processes, which should be fundamental to a functioning democracy.

Nationwide Protests by Congress Against Election Commission

In tandem with Tewari’s statements, members of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) participated in significant protests across various states, demanding the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar. On Friday, demonstrators marched from Raisina Road to Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, reflecting escalating frustrations with the Election Commission.

In Patna, law enforcement used water cannons to disperse Congress workers who protested against Gyanesh Kumar. Similar encounters were reported in Punjab, where Congress demonstrations turned tense as protesters climbed police vans. The protests registered in multiple states, including Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal, signalling a widespread discontent.

In Shimla, protests occurred outside the State Election Commission’s office, where demonstrators blackened the official signage. In Manipur, Congress activists clashed with police while demanding accountability for the handling of electoral processes. The situation intensified with reports of tear gas being deployed by law enforcement.

These protests are part of an extensive campaign by Congress against the ECI, particularly in light of the controversial Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. This national initiative has drawn attention due to reports indicating internal objections raised by Election Commissioners against the procedures and decision-making processes associated with electoral rolls.

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