The Congress on Saturday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was aware of restrictions imposed by the Election Commission’s IT division on Electoral Registration Officers’ (EROs) access to the ECINet portal.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh made the allegation, citing complaints reportedly raised by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi over the functioning of the Election Commission’s IT division.
Ramesh claimed that the complaints had reached the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), which falls under the Prime Minister’s charge, and alleged that the restrictions may have been implemented with Modi’s knowledge and direction.
The allegations have intensified the political debate over the Election Commission’s functioning and the management of electoral rolls.
Jairam Ramesh Questions Role of Election Commission Official
Ramesh referred to a media report claiming that an Election Commission official, against whom the two election commissioners had reportedly complained to the Cabinet Secretary in July, continued to hold a key position within the poll body’s administration.
The Congress leader alleged that instead of facing action, the official had been given responsibility for overseeing the Election Commission’s IT division.
He also questioned an order that allegedly removed oversight from the IT division, claiming that the move reduced transparency in its functioning.
Ramesh further alleged that the official had been assigned responsibility for the division in August, raising questions about the Election Commission’s clarification issued on September 26.
Congress Raises Concerns Over EROs’ Powers
According to Ramesh, the two election commissioners had raised concerns that the Election Commission’s IT division was restricting EROs’ access to the ECINet voter-roll portal.
He alleged that these restrictions were affecting the statutory authority of electoral registration officers over additions and deletions in voter lists.
The Congress has argued that decisions concerning electoral rolls must remain within the legal responsibilities of the designated electoral authorities.
The controversy has emerged amid the ongoing debate over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Congress Links Allegations to ‘Vote Chori’ Campaign
Ramesh alleged that the reported developments pointed towards centralised control over the electoral system.
He also reiterated the Congress’s criticism of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the functioning of the Election Commission.
The party has been demanding greater transparency in electoral processes and has repeatedly raised concerns over voter-list revision exercises.
The Congress has also sought the removal of Gyanesh Kumar, alleging that the poll body has failed to address its concerns.
Election Commission Defends Its Procedures
The Election Commission has maintained that differing views and observations among officials are normal in institutional decision-making.
It has stated that its orders carry legal sanction and follow established statutory procedures.
The controversy follows media reports that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections on multiple occasions over decisions related to the SIR exercise during the preceding 10 months.
The reported disagreements have brought the internal decision-making process of the poll body under public scrutiny.
ECINet Controversy Adds to Electoral Roll Debate
The ECINet portal has become a focal point of the wider political dispute over electoral roll management, transparency and the authority of election officials.
While the Congress has questioned the restrictions and alleged political involvement, the Election Commission has defended its institutional procedures.
The latest allegations by Jairam Ramesh have added another dimension to the ongoing debate over the Election Commission’s functioning and the administration of electoral rolls in India.