'Gyanesh Kumar must quit': Kharge lists INDIA bloc's three key demands amid SIR row

NEW DELHI: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday outlined three key demands of the INDIA bloc over alleged irregularities in voter rolls, calling for Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, an immediate halt to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and a return to paper ballots.In a post on X, Kharge accused the Narendra Modi government of protecting Kumar despite what he described as repeated revelations of “vote theft”. He also alleged collusion between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Election Commission of India (ECI).Kharge urged citizens to join the INDIA bloc’s ‘Save Votes–Save the Nation’ march and mega rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on November 1.Kharge flags voter roll irregularitiesRaising questions over the transparency of the SIR process, Kharge said the Election Commission had refused to disclose information about the software used in the exercise in response to a Right to Information (RTI) request, citing “Trade Secrets”.He also claimed that details of 16.18 lakh Form-6 applications in Uttar Pradesh had not been made public. Form 6 is used to apply for inclusion in the electoral roll.Referring to Pilibhit, Kharge alleged that irregularities had been detected in records relating to 10,470 voters. He said authorities had subsequently been compelled to order an investigation into Forms 6, 7 and 8 across Uttar Pradesh. These forms are used for voter registration, objections or deletions, and corrections or changes to electoral roll entries, respectively.“Even after countless revelations of vote theft, the Modi government is resorting to every possible trick to protect Gyanesh Kumar!” Kharge said in his post.Three demands of INDIA blocOutlining the opposition alliance’s demands, Kharge called for Kumar’s resignation and the repeal of the 2023 law that provides legal protection to the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners in certain circumstances.He also demanded an immediate suspension of the SIR exercise and the restoration of names of voters allegedly removed illegally from electoral rolls.The third demand was that all elections be conducted using paper ballots instead of electronic voting machines.“This is not just a fight to save votes; it is a people's struggle to save the Constitution and democracy,” Kharge said.Calling on citizens to participate in the November 1 mobilisation, he urged them to gather at Ramlila Maidan in the national capital for the ‘Save Votes–Save the Nation’ march and rally.“I appeal to every conscious citizen of the country -Come to Delhi on November 1! Join the 'Save Votes–Save the Nation' people's march and mega rally at Ramlila Maidan."Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.