New Delhi. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has intensified his criticism of the Election Commission, laying out three uncompromising conditions that the party says must be satisfied before it can endorse the forthcoming electoral process.
Congress’s Three‑Point Demand
Kharge announced that the party seeks the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, a suspension of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls, and a shift back to traditional paper ballots for all future elections. In a social‑media statement on Monday, he said Congress cadres and allies in the INDIA coalition were staging demonstrations nationwide to press these points.
The leader also pledged solidarity with civil‑society groups and youth organisations campaigning for greater transparency in the voting mechanism.
Controversy Over SIR Roll Revision
This declaration comes amid a widening dispute over the Election Commission’s handling of the SIR exercise. Congress has repeatedly questioned the legality of the roll‑revision, alleging that it could reshape the electorate to the party’s disadvantage.
Sources indicate that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi have lodged objections on several occasions, asserting that certain SIR orders were issued without their knowledge or recommendation. The Commission, however, argues that internal dissent is normal in any institution and that its directives are grounded in law and established statutory procedures.
Wider Opposition Context
Kharge linked the call for the CEC’s resignation with the party’s broader opposition to the SIR and its demand for a return to paper‑ballot voting. He also accused the ruling BJP of targeting female journalists in Delhi, describing the alleged harassment as condemnable and suggesting the government is attempting to divert attention from the larger electoral controversy.
Congress reiterated its resolve to stand with organisations raising concerns about electoral transparency, while the Election Commission defended the legality of its actions. As debates over roll revision and voting technology persist, the issue is poised to remain a focal point in the run‑up to the next elections.
