Left Parties Step Up Protest Against CEC Over Electoral Roll Revision
CPI(M) leader Subhashini Ali during a Left parties’ protest outside the Election Commission of India office in Delhi on September 29 while demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation
CPI(M) general secretary M.A. Baby was detained on Tuesday during a protest by Left parties outside the Election Commission of India (ECI) office in New Delhi, as opposition leaders intensified their campaign against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The protest was part of a week-long programme announced by five Left parties — the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Communist Party of India, CPI(ML) Liberation, Revolutionary Socialist Party and All India Forward Bloc — from September 26 to October 2.
The parties are demanding Kumar’s resignation or removal and an immediate halt to the SIR, alleging that the exercise could adversely affect citizens’ voting rights.
Left announces nationwide protests
CPI(M) leader Subhashini Ali said the protests would not be confined to Delhi. She said Left parties had decided to organise demonstrations across the country every day until their concerns over the electoral-roll revision were addressed.
“Left parties of the country have decided that there must be a demonstration or protest every day across the country,” Ali told reporters.
She accused the government of undermining fundamental rights and linked the electoral-roll controversy directly to the constitutional right to vote.
“This Govt is stealing our fundamental rights. Constitution can function when every citizen has the right to vote freely. They are ending it, and we cannot tolerate it,” she said.
Ali also indicated that the campaign could continue beyond the week-long programme.
“So, the protest will continue, however long it takes,” she said.
Demand for CEC’s removal
The demonstration outside the ECI headquarters saw the participation of several Left leaders, including CPI leader Brinda Karat. She called for Kumar to either resign or be removed from office and demanded an immediate suspension of the SIR.
“CEC has to be either sacked or he has to resign. He won’t resign though, so he needs to be removed. SIR has to be stopped immediately,” Karat said.
She also called for changes to the rules governing the Election Commission, adding another dimension to the Left parties’ campaign for institutional reform.
M.A. Baby has previously questioned Kumar’s continuation in office and argued that decisions of the three-member Election Commission should be based on unanimity or majority. He has also called for the electoral-roll revision to be suspended until political parties and other stakeholders are consulted.
Opposition escalates challenge
The Left parties’ protest comes amid a broader confrontation between opposition parties and the Election Commission over the SIR.
The Congress has separately demanded Kumar’s removal and suspension of the revision exercise. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has also called for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s resignation on moral grounds, alleging that the CEC faced pressure in the discharge of his responsibilities.
The controversy has further intensified following reports that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi raised objections on at least 14 occasions over a period of 10 months concerning decisions and orders linked to the SIR.
The reported disagreements have added to questions being raised by opposition parties about the functioning and decision-making process within the poll panel.
Supreme Court to hear challenge
The dispute has also reached the judiciary. The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear a petition challenging Kumar’s functioning and seeking to have the nationwide SIR declared illegal.
The Election Commission, however, has maintained that differences of opinion and observations are part of institutional deliberations. The poll body has said its decisions are taken in accordance with established statutory procedures.
The ECI has also defended the SIR, stating that the exercise is aimed at ensuring the accuracy of electoral rolls and facilitating participation by eligible voters.
Campaign to continue
The five Left parties have called for wider coordination with other opposition parties and civil society organisations over the issue. Their nationwide campaign is expected to focus on transparency, accountability and the implications of the electoral-roll revision.
The Delhi protest is the latest in a series of demonstrations by opposition parties and civil society groups challenging the manner in which the SIR is being conducted.
While the opposition has raised concerns over voting rights and the functioning of the Election Commission, the ECI has maintained that the electoral-roll revision is intended to strengthen the accuracy and integrity of voter lists.
The coming days are likely to see the political and legal debate over the SIR intensify, with opposition parties signalling that their protests will continue until their demands are addressed.
