Priyanka Gandhi calls voter roll tampering 'treason', demands criminal prosecution of CEC
New Delhi, Sep 24 (UNI) Congress general secretary and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday escalated the Opposition's attack on the Election Commission over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging that large-scale deletion of voters amounted to an assault on democracy and the Constitution and demanding criminal prosecution of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Reacting to the controversy surrounding the electoral-roll revision exercise, Priyanka said any attempt to interfere with the democratic process constituted a serious offence against the nation. "Anybody who plays around with the democratic process of our elections is committing treason against this nation," she said. Referring to the more than 13 crore names left out of draft electoral rolls during the SIR exercise, she alleged,
"Tampering with voter rolls and deleting 13 crore voters is a criminal act against democracy, the Constitution and the nation." Priyanka also alleged that Kumar had been aware of concerns raised within the Election Commission regarding the functioning of the revision process but had failed to act on them. "The Election Commissioner has been fully aware that this is happening under his nose. His colleagues have brought it to his attention, but he has ignored it and intentionally allowed an unfair election to take place," she alleged.
She went on to demand criminal proceedings against the CEC, saying that he should be treated in the same manner as anyone else accused of committing an offence. "He should be criminally prosecuted just like any other criminal, and he should be tried for treason," Priyanka said. Her remarks came amid a widening political controversy over the functioning of the poll panel following a report in The Indian Express that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections on at least 14 occasions over a 10-month period to decisions and orders relating to electoral-roll revisions.
The report has intensified Opposition scrutiny of the Election Commission, with Congress leaders alleging that internal objections point to serious concerns over the manner in which electoral-roll revision decisions were being taken. The SIR exercise has involved a large-scale revision of electoral rolls in several states and union Territories. The publication of draft rolls has resulted in the exclusion of more than 13 crore names, according to figures cited by the Opposition. The Election Commission, however, has maintained that exclusion from a draft roll does not amount to final deletion and that eligible voters are entitled to file claims and objections under the prescribed process.
The poll panel has defended the exercise, saying electoral-roll deletions are carried out under established procedures involving verification, notices and opportunities for affected voters to submit claims and objections. It has also maintained that differences or observations during internal deliberations do not by themselves indicate a breakdown in the functioning of the Commission and that its decisions are taken within its constitutional and statutory mandate. The Opposition has nevertheless continued to question the transparency and implementation of the SIR process, arguing that the large number of exclusions could result in eligible voters being denied their right to vote if they are unable to complete the claims and objections process.
The Election Commission has stressed that the revision is aimed at ensuring accurate and updated electoral rolls and that voters whose names have been wrongly excluded can seek restoration through the prescribed legal and administrative mechanisms. Priyanka's latest attack adds to mounting Congress pressure on the poll panel, with the party demanding greater accountability over the electoral-roll revision process and questioning the role of the Chief Election Commissioner amid the reported internal objections.
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