Congress leader Pawan Khera has urged Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar to resign in light of a plea for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe against him. Khera has suggested that the CEC’s resignation would be in his best interest, citing rising tensions within the Election Commission. He expressed concerns regarding Kumar’s future and made it clear that he believes the CEC’s position may jeopardise his safety.

Khera conveyed his message to reporters, emphasising that if Kumar were to become an approver in the investigation, it might safeguard him. He stated, “His safety, his interests, the safety of his future lies in that itself,” highlighting the political implications of the ongoing issues surrounding the Election Commission.

Supreme Court Plea and Allegations

The recent plea submitted to the Supreme Court calls for the immediate prosecution of CEC Gyanesh Kumar, citing allegations of unilateral decision-making within the Election Commission of India (ECI). The claim involves significant issues, such as amendments to Form 6 and alleged centralisation of electoral rolls, which reportedly led to the exclusion of eligible voters.

In conjunction with Gyanesh Kumar, Senior Deputy Election Commissioner Maneesh Garg and DG-IT Seema Khanna are also named in the allegations, which state the officials have breached their official duties. A report from The Indian Express dated September 23 noted that other Election Commissioners had expressed dissent on numerous occasions regarding decisions linked to electoral management.

The petition accuses the ECI of changing Form 6 on the ECINet portal without proper amendments to the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, making declarations of “last SIR” details compulsory for first-time voters. The petitioners are demanding both a restoration of decentralised access to electoral rolls and a judicial inquiry or SIT led by a retired Supreme Court judge.

Responses from the Political Arena

Khera’s accusations come on the heels of Samik Bhattacharya, the West Bengal BJP president, expressing support for the CEC. Bhattacharya remarked that Gyanesh Kumar deserves significant recognition for ensuring peaceful elections and managing electoral rolls. Khera, however, dismissed that sentiment, suggesting that Kumar should be given an even higher position rather than mere accolades.

In response to Union Minister Chirag Paswan’s suggestion that the Election Commission must assert its stance amid criticism, Khera responded that dissenting voices are emerging from within both the government and the Election Commission. He remarked, “Voices are coming from within the Election Commission. Voices are rising from within the government,” insinuating an increasing discontent regarding the ongoing electoral situation.

Opposition parties, including the Congress, have united in pressing for accountability from the Election Commission, alleging a lack of transparency in electoral processes. Congress workers have staged protests across various Indian states, calling for the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar and for a review of electoral roll decisions.

In Assam, protests led by the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee were met with police action, as several leaders, including Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, were detained. Meanwhile, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh accused the government of suppressing dissent, claiming that various groups, including students and activists, were targeted during these demonstrations.

The BJP has rejected these claims, asserting that they are attempts to distract from their electoral setbacks. The Election Commission has reaffirmed that all decisions regarding the SIR process were reached through consensus among the commissioners, presenting it as a routine operational procedure.

The upcoming Congress Working Committee meeting scheduled for September 29 in New Delhi is expected to further address these issues, amidst the growing tensions surrounding the Election Commission’s integrity.

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