New Delhi, May 27: Opposition leaders, particularly from the Congress party, have accused the BJP of misusing the Supreme Court’s decision regarding the Special Intensive Review (SIR) of voter lists for political gain. This criticism arose after the Supreme Court upheld the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) authority to conduct SIRs.
The court stated that the SIR process falls within the constitutional and legal powers of the election body, aiming to maintain the integrity of the electoral process.
Congress MP Imran Masood acknowledged the ECI’s right to perform SIRs but cautioned against potential misuse. He highlighted that many names were removed from the voter lists, and the Supreme Court had instructed tribunals to decide on appeals, but elections occurred before these decisions were made.
Masood raised concerns about the validity of elections if voters who were removed regain their voting rights after appealing. He questioned how free and fair elections could be conducted if a voter’s name is removed before the election but restored afterward.
He urged the Supreme Court to take strict action against anyone using fraudulent Form 7. Additionally, he suggested that a deadline should be established for Form 7 submissions, ensuring it does not affect electoral lists.
Masood claimed that while the final draft of electoral lists in Uttar Pradesh has been published, there are indications that Form 7 is being prepared for submission just before the assembly elections. He questioned how democracy can be upheld under such circumstances.
Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar criticized the ECI, stating that when the credibility of any constitutional institution is questioned, it must provide appropriate responses.
MP Pappu Yadav asked the central government what actions would be taken against those whose names were removed from voter lists. He questioned whether they would be imprisoned or sent back to their countries of origin, and if those countries had been identified. Yadav accused the ECI of being an enemy of democracy, alleging that it is removing poor individuals’ names from voter lists to benefit a particular political party.
He also questioned the validity of elections if individuals regain their voting rights after the elections. While acknowledging the Supreme Court’s decision on the SIR’s concept and legal validity, he accused the BJP-led central government of exploiting this process for political advantage.
Chhattisgarh Congress President Deepak Baij referenced former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who appeared in court to argue against the SIR process in Bengal. He asserted that irregularities are occurring in the SIR process, despite any clean chit.
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