Communist Parties Demand CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s Removal, Call for Immediate Halt to SIR
ಮುಖ್ಯ ಚುನಾವಣಾ ಆಯುಕ್ತ ಜ್ಞಾನೇಶ್ ಕುಮಾರ್ ವಜಾಗೆ ಕಮ್ಯುನಿಸ್ಟ್ ಪಕ್ಷಗಳ ಆಗ್ರಹ, ಎಸ್ಐಆರ್ಗೆ ತಕ್ಷಣ ತಡೆ
Bengaluru, 24 September: The CPI(M), CPI and CPI(ML)-Liberation have called for the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, an immediate halt to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and restoration of voting rights to eligible citizens allegedly excluded from the rolls. The three parties have also demanded steps to restore public confidence in the Election Commission of India (ECI).
The demand follows reported objections by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi to several decisions concerning voter registration, deletion and restoration of names and the conduct of SIR. The two commissioners have reportedly recorded objections on at least 14 occasions over 10 months, including concerns that certain decisions were taken without their knowledge.
‘Serious Questions Over ECI’s Functioning’
In a joint statement, CPI(M) secretary Prakash K., CPI secretary Sathi Sundareshe and CPI(ML)-Liberation secretary Clifton Rosario said the developments raised fundamental questions about the transparency, independence and democratic functioning of the poll panel.
The parties alleged that electoral databases were being gradually centralised and that statutory officials at the state and constituency levels were facing restrictions in accessing voter records. They cited the reported case of Goa, where software limitations allegedly prevented Electoral Registration Officers from recording their decision that 97 voters were eligible, resulting in their exclusion from the final roll.
“The issue goes far beyond SIR and concerns the protection of universal adult franchise,” the parties said, warning that opaque and centralised processes could undermine public trust in elections.
They held CEC Gyanesh Kumar responsible for what they described as the erosion of confidence in the institution and demanded his removal.
Week-long Nationwide Protest
The parties have called for nationwide protests from September 26 to October 2, demanding an end to SIR, restoration of wrongly excluded voters and an independent, democratic ECI. They also sought replacement of the present system for appointing election commissioners with a selection mechanism involving the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition and Chief Justice of India.
The protest period covers the birth anniversaries of Bhagat Singh and Mahatma Gandhi, whom the parties described as figures associated with struggles for democracy and secularism.
In Karnataka, protests will be held across the state. In Bengaluru, a demonstration has been scheduled at Freedom Park at 3 pm on Saturday, September 26.
The three parties appealed to non-BJP secular and democratic opposition parties, civil society organisations and citizens to join the campaign.
