Voter Roll Controversy
Stalin and Mamata Demand Action and Investigation Over Controversial Voter Roll Revision
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Key Points
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M.K. Stalin said media reports had cast serious doubts on the results of every Assembly election held after the SIR exercise, not merely on the voter-roll revision itself.
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The reported objections by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi were said to have occurred at least 14 times over a 10-month period, including objections to decisions allegedly taken without their knowledge.
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Mamata Banerjee alleged that BJP-aligned personnel had been placed in electoral roles, including Electoral Registration Officer positions, saying, “They cannot depute their own EROs in the name of BJP IT Team.”
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TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee separately alleged that 30 lakh voter names were deliberately deleted in West Bengal to benefit the BJP, and claimed similar manipulation occurred in Haryana and Bihar.
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The controversy unfolded alongside the Election Commission’s freezing of the All India Trinamool Congress name and its reserved symbol amid an internal party dispute; for October 6 bypolls, the Mamata faction was given the interim name “Mamata All India Trinamool Congress” and a football-player symbol.
Opposition leaders are demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations that a voter roll revision has compromised election results across India. Times Now News reported that DMK president M.K. Stalin called for Kumar's resignation, while WION News said former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee demanded his arrest and fresh elections using older voter rolls.
The controversy centers on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which opposition parties say involved large-scale voter deletions. Hindustan Times reported that two other Election Commissioners repeatedly objected to decisions about voter management at least 14 times over 10 months, sometimes without being fully consulted. The Election Commission denies wrongdoing, saying all decisions were unanimous.
Stalin Calls for Investigation Into Election Commission
M.K. Stalin said media reports have raised serious doubts about every Assembly election held after the SIR exercise. Times Now News reported that the DMK chief demanded three things: the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, an immediate halt to the voter roll revision, and an independent investigation into alleged irregularities.
Mamata Claims 30 Lakh Voters Deleted in West Bengal
Mamata Banerjee made sweeping allegations that BJP-aligned personnel were placed in key election roles to manipulate results. WION News reported she called for the arrest of the Chief Election Commissioner and fresh West Bengal Assembly elections using pre-SIR voter rolls. The Statesman reported that Congress also protested outside the Election Commission, accusing Kumar of 'bulldozing' the panel.
Trinamool Congress general secretary Abhishek Banerjee alleged that 30 lakh (3 million) voter names were deliberately deleted in West Bengal to benefit the BJP. He claimed similar manipulation occurred in Haryana and Bihar. Hindustan Times reported these charges alongside the Election Commission's freezing of the All India Trinamool Congress name and symbol due to an internal party dispute.
Two Commissioners Objected to Voter Roll Decisions Repeatedly
Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi raised objections at least 14 times over a 10-month period to decisions about voter-roll management. Sabarang India reported that these commissioners were sometimes not fully consulted before decisions were made. The Election Commission has denied all wrongdoing, saying the SIR decisions were taken unanimously with approval from all three commissioners.
Election Commission Defends Voter Roll Revision Process
The Election Commission stands by the Special Intensive Revision, arguing that all decisions were unanimous and properly approved. The Statesman reported that the Congress party has accused Kumar of functioning in an authoritarian manner and hijacking the Election Commission's independence. The agency has not yet formally responded to demands for Kumar's resignation or investigation.
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