Assam Pradesh BJP president Dilip Saikia has criticised the Congress over its allegations against the Election Commission of India.
Saikia spoke at a press conference in Nagaon on September 28. He responded to the ongoing political dispute over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
The BJP leader said the ECI’s recent clarification had addressed several questions raised by the Opposition. He accused Congress and other Opposition parties of spreading what he called “misinformation and propaganda” about the poll panel.
His remarks came after the ECI issued a detailed statement on September 26. The Commission said all decisions related to the SIR exercise had received unanimous approval from its three members.
ECI Says SIR Decisions Were Unanimous
The SIR controversy intensified after reports suggested differences among Election Commissioners.
The ECI responded by saying that differing views are a normal part of internal deliberations. It also said that written observations and suggestions help improve electoral procedures.
The Commission maintained that final decisions on SIR were taken unanimously. It also said that official orders followed legal and statutory procedures.
The clarification also included measures to make the revision process easier for voters.
For example, voters who receive notices over certain discrepancies will generally not have to appear personally before an Electoral Registration Officer. Booth-level officers can visit their homes to collect documents.
The ECI also directed officials to strengthen help desks and special camps for vulnerable groups.
Saikia Accuses Congress of Targeting Institutions
Saikia said Congress had repeatedly questioned the credibility of constitutional institutions.
He specifically referred to the Election Commission and electronic voting machines. According to Saikia, Congress has questioned these institutions after electoral defeats but accepted them when it won elections.
These remarks reflect the BJP’s response to the wider Opposition campaign against the ECI. BJP leaders have similarly accused Congress of attempting to undermine public confidence in constitutional institutions.
However, Congress and other Opposition parties continue to raise concerns about the SIR process. They have demanded greater transparency in the preparation and revision of electoral rolls.
The dispute therefore remains politically contested.
BJP Defends the Election Commission
Saikia also defended the Election Commission’s explanation about the SIR process.
He said the Commission had made clear that all three Election Commissioners approved the decisions. He argued that this clarification challenged claims about an internal disagreement over the exercise.
The BJP leader also referred to Form 6, which voters use to apply for inclusion in electoral rolls. He claimed that the Supreme Court had upheld the validity of the form.
Meanwhile, the ECI has said voters left out during the revision can seek inclusion through continuous updating. It has also directed electoral officials to conduct special enrolment drives.
Congress Continues Its Attack on ECI
The Congress, however, has not withdrawn its criticism of the Election Commission.
The party has continued to question the SIR process and the changes made to electoral rolls. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said on September 29 that the party would intensify its campaign over the issue.
Congress has also demanded greater disclosure of changes made to voter rolls. The party has linked these demands to its broader concerns about electoral transparency.
Rahul Gandhi has also continued to raise allegations concerning voter rolls and the electoral process.
The Congress has called for stronger accountability from the Election Commission. The BJP, meanwhile, has rejected these allegations.
Assam Becomes Part of Wider SIR Debate
The dispute has also gained attention in Assam.
However, Assam’s electoral-roll revision process has a distinct context. The state has been undergoing a Special Revision rather than the SIR exercise used in several other states and Union territories.
The wider debate over voter-list revisions has nevertheless become an important political issue in the state.
Saikia made his comments in Nagaon, where BJP leaders have been campaigning ahead of the Lok Sabha bypoll. Several senior BJP leaders attended the press conference, including Assam Cabinet Minister Sushanta Borgohain and MLAs Pradyut Bordoloi, Rupak Sarma and Diplu Ranjan Sarma.
Political Dispute Over SIR Continues
The latest exchange shows that the dispute over the Election Commission is continuing.
On one side, the BJP has welcomed the ECI’s clarification. Saikia has used the statement to challenge Congress’s allegations.
On the other side, Congress continues to demand greater transparency. The party has also maintained its criticism of the SIR process.
For now, the ECI has stated that its final SIR decisions were unanimous. At the same time, Opposition parties continue to question aspects of the electoral-roll revision process.
The debate is therefore likely to remain a major political issue as parties continue to discuss electoral reforms and voter-list changes.