SP Leader Criticizes Election Commission, Calls for Supreme Court Intervention

Lucknow, September 27 (Daily Kiran) : The ongoing controversy surrounding the Election Commission has sparked protests, with Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Fakhrul Hasan Chand asserting that free and fair elections are impossible under Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. He accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of systematically undermining democracy and constitutional institutions in India.

Chand emphasized that the Supreme Court should take suo motu cognizance of the Election Commission’s issues. He echoed remarks made by SP President Akhilesh Yadav, who previously called for judicial intervention regarding Gyanesh Kumar’s role, highlighting the deterioration of democratic values. The SP leader criticized the BJP for attempting to overturn a Supreme Court decision related to the appointment of the Election Commission, insisting that the original ruling should be upheld.

During a critical meeting of the Election Commission, Chand raised concerns about the commission’s priorities. He pointed to alarming instances in West Bengal, where a significant number of voters were removed from the rolls, only to be reinstated after a Supreme Court directive. He questioned the integrity of the commission, stating that the SP had submitted over 18,000 affidavits regarding electoral malpractices, but received no action in return.

Chand also criticized the Special Intensive Review (SIR) process, questioning its transparency and the commission’s accountability. He argued that the Election Commission appears to act in favor of the ruling party, while opposition-held states face widespread transfers of officials. He asserted that under Gyanesh Kumar’s leadership, the commission cannot guarantee impartiality.

The SP leader accused the BJP of manipulating constitutional institutions for its benefit, claiming that the Election Commission is under undue pressure from the ruling party. He expressed skepticism regarding the possibility of unbiased elections as long as Kumar remains in charge.

In response to calls for Kumar’s resignation from the Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP), Chand noted a growing public outrage over electoral fraud and Kumar’s role. He stated that citizens, especially the youth, are questioning the legitimacy of their votes and the resulting governments.

On a separate note, regarding the Ram Mandir donation theft case, Chand refrained from commenting on the police charge sheet, stating that the Supreme Court’s appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) should be allowed to present its findings first, as previous investigations lacked credibility.

In a related statement, SP MP Avadhesh Prasad from Ayodhya highlighted the apparent collusion between the Election Commission and the government, raising doubts about the commission’s impartiality. He criticized the Chief Minister for publicly supporting the Election Commission, suggesting that this indicates a lack of public trust in the electoral process.

Prasad concluded by predicting that the SP, under Akhilesh Yadav, would emerge victorious in the 2027 elections, despite the current political climate.