Delhi CM backs Election Commission over SIR amid allegations of Opposition

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday rejected the Opposition’s allegations against the Election Commission, saying the revision of electoral rolls to remove deceased voters, duplicate entries and other invalid names was being dubbed “vote chori”. 

Addressing a press conference at Jan Seva Sadan, Ms. Gupta said eligible voters remained on the rolls. “Everyone has the right to ask questions in a democracy, but such questions should be based on facts,” she said. 

Her remarks came amid demands by Opposition parties and organisations for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar following an investigation by The Indian Express. The report said Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had objected at least 14 times over 10 months to decisions concerning the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. 

The investigation also reported that the two Commissioners had objected to changes linked to Form 6, describing them as “illegal” and “unauthorised”. The revised process sought information on whether an applicant or their parents were on the electoral roll during the last SIR in the early 2000s. 

Ms. Gupta said there had been no change in Form 6 and that, under the SIR, a separate declaration had been provided along with the form, according to the Election Commission. 

Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party president and Union Minister Harsh Malhotra asked booth-level agents to coordinate with booth-level officers to ensure every eligible voter is enrolled. He said no name would be deleted without a hearing. 

More protests planned 

Meanwhile, the Delhi Congress plans to stage a protest outside Nirvachan Sadan on Monday over the issue. It will be the party’s second protest, after a demonstration on September 25. 

The Cockroach Janta Party has also warned of a nationwide agitation, including “Jantar Mantar 2.0”, if Mr. Kumar does not step down. 

(With inputs from PTI)