Initiate Criminal Proceeding Against CEC, Reinstate Deleted Voter Names: Prithviraj Chavan

Ahmedabad: Amid a row over the SIR exercise, senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan on Sunday demanded that CEC Gyanesh Kumar be sacked and made to face criminal proceedings for "misleading the public".He also sought the reinstatement of 13.5 crore names allegedly deleted from electoral rolls and a return to ballot-paper voting, accusing the Narendra Modi government of undermining the country's democratic process.

He claimed the changes to the voter registration process were creating hurdles for young people seeking to exercise their franchise.

Chavan said the Congress would continue its nationwide campaign against the electoral roll "irregularities" and demanded criminal proceedings against Kumar, accusing him of misleading the public.

"We demand that the 13.5 crore names that were removed from the electoral rolls be reinstated. Gyanesh Kumar should be dismissed, and criminal proceedings should be initiated against him for lying," he added.

The former Union minister also demanded that the process of appointing Election Commissioners be made transparent and impartial, alleging that the existing system gave the government undue influence over the poll panel.

Chavan said the Congress's campaign would include press conferences, block and district-level meetings, community outreach programmes and a proposed rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan.

"Regardless of who wins or loses this election, the electoral process must be transparent," he said.

Chavan alleged that changes to Form 6, used for new voter registration, had made the process difficult, particularly for young people turning 18.

He claimed applicants are asked to provide details of the polling booths where their parents voted in 2003, and that those unable to furnish such information risk rejection of applications.

"Naturally, no one would know this," he said, alleging that the requirements could prevent eligible voters from getting their names included in electoral rolls.

The senior Congress leader also cited alleged irregularities in the Haryana voter roll, claiming that Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi's analysis found instances of untraceable voters and multiple uses of photographs.

He alleged that voter deletions were being used selectively against people unlikely to support the BJP.

"The Modi government has weakened the independence of the Election Commission by changing the law governing the appointment of Election Commissioners in December 2023. The earlier process proposed by the Supreme Court involved the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition and the Chief Justice of India.

"However, the government replaced the Chief Justice with a cabinet minister, Home Minister Amit Shah, in the selection panel. What could Rahul Gandhi possibly do?" Chavan asked, referring to the Leader of the Opposition's position in the committee.

He accused the Election Commission of failing to ensure free and fair elections, saying the Congress had initially examined the possibility of electronic voting machine (EVM) manipulation before turning its attention to electoral rolls.

"The umpire was fixed," he alleged.

Chavan defended Rahul Gandhi's campaign against alleged voter list manipulation, saying the Congress leader had conducted a detailed, computer-based analysis and raised the issue through a series of press conferences.

He said the campaign is not about whether the Congress or BJP wins an election but about protecting the right of citizens to elect their government, citing protests by Opposition parties and common people "to demand accountability from the Election Commission.

Accusing the BJP of branding its opponents as troublemakers, Chavan said the ruling party's allegation that the Congress was creating anarchy was not new.

"Whenever ordinary citizens rise against a dictatorship to restore democracy, the dictator invariably labels them as 'traitors,' 'terrorists,' or 'Maoists'," he said.

He maintained that the movement would remain peaceful and follow Mahatma Gandhi's path of satyagraha.

"We demand a return to voting via ballot papers, as the current system is riddled with irregularities. Our movement will continue until these demands are met," Chavan added.

He also raised concerns about the country's foreign policy, alleging that the Modi government was under pressure from US President Donald Trump.

"Rahul Gandhi explicitly states that the PM is compromised, being pressured, and blackmailed. This is a highly dangerous situation for the nation. When the U.S. Secretary of State visits India, he summons External Affairs Minister Jaishankar, who rushes to Mumbai to meet him. And this is in the name of national interest," he said.