Opposition criticism of the Election Commission has intensified over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal making strong allegations about the process.
Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday accused the Election Commission and its officials of wrongdoing in connection with the electoral roll exercise. Reacting to a report about disagreements within the poll panel over aspects of the SIR process, Gandhi said, “Vote chori [Vote theft] is a crime against the Indian people and a direct attack on our constitution. The BJP, RSS and EC who organised it have committed an act of treason. Justice will be served [sic].”
In another message directed at election officials, Gandhi said, “I am telling the EC and election officials clearly: What you are doing is wrong. This is treason, this is against the country. Do not forget that. The time will come when we will catch you. You will not be able to escape.”
The controversy centres on the SIR exercise, under which electoral rolls are being reviewed and updated. The Election Commission describes itself as an autonomous constitutional authority responsible for administering elections and managing electoral rolls.
Kejriwal has also stepped up his criticism of the poll panel. The AAP leader has demanded action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and called for the cancellation and re-conduct of elections that, according to his demand, were held after the SIR exercise in several states and Delhi.
The opposition has also called for the ongoing electoral roll revision to be stopped, arguing that alleged discrepancies need to be addressed before the process moves ahead.
The Election Commission, meanwhile, continues to conduct electoral roll-related exercises. Its official information says the commission is responsible for electoral roll management as part of its broader election administration duties.
The political dispute has now put the SIR process and the functioning of the Election Commission at the centre of a fresh confrontation between opposition parties and the BJP-led establishment. The allegations made by opposition leaders remain political claims and should be distinguished from findings established through an official inquiry or judicial process.
