Vijayawada, Sep 28 (PTI) Andhra Pradesh Congress leaders on Monday protested against the Election Commission here, demanding “documentary answers” on alleged “irregularities” in electoral rolls, including deletion of eligible voters and changes in the voter registration process.
Demanding Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar’s arrest, the opposition leaders, led by Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) vice president Kolanukonda Shivaji and a large number of workers participated in the protest, which also featured burning effigies.
“The APCC demands documentary answers from the Election Commission on the issues being raised regarding irregularities in electoral rolls, deletion of eligible voters, changes in the voter registration process and transparency in the electoral system,” a release from the Congress party said.
Underscoring that transparency and accountability in the maintenance of electoral rolls is essential, Sivaji demanded that the “file notings, minutes and action taken reports relating to the 14 objections reportedly recorded at the level of Election Commissioners be made public.”
Likewise, the Congress leaders demanded the legal basis and relevant gazette notifications for the alleged changes made to Form-6 be disclosed.
They called for an independent audit of ECINET data security and clarity on reports concerning the alleged deletion of voters in Goa.
Similarly, they demanded that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process be kept on hold until an independent review is undertaken.
Besides placing its decisions, orders, file notings and legal basis in the public domain, Sivaji demanded the poll body to provide “documentary explanations instead of limiting itself to statements.”
The Congress leaders also demanded the CEC’s resignation and a “comprehensive inquiry” into the functioning of the Election Commission.
Further, the Congress leaders vowed that the opposition party will continue its efforts to protect voting rights and democracy.
Under fire over the red flags raised by two of its commissioners over the SIR process, the EC has asserted that differing views and observations are a normal part of deliberations in any institution and all its orders carry full legal sanction and follow established statutory procedures.
The Election Commission has asserted that all SIR orders received unanimous consent from all three Commissioners and that the updates to Form 6 for voter enrolment were upheld by the Supreme Court, as it sought to address issues at the centre of a raging row over decision-making in the poll panel and concerns over exclusion of voters from the rolls.
The EC announced a number of measures under SIR including additional time for filing claims, home visit by election officials and help desks for those facing notices for removal from the rolls. PTI STH KH
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