Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has defended the Election Commission of India (ECI) amid growing criticism from opposition parties over the poll panel’s functioning and its ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Rijiju said the Election Commission is an independent constitutional institution and argued that political parties should respect its authority. His remarks came as opposition parties stepped up their criticism of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and questioned aspects of the electoral-roll revision exercise.
Rijiju Defends Election Commission
Rijiju said the Election Commission has an important constitutional responsibility and should be allowed to carry out its duties independently.
He also questioned the manner in which opposition parties have been targeting the poll panel. The minister’s comments came amid a wider political dispute over electoral rolls, voter registration and the procedures followed during SIR.
The government has maintained that the electoral-roll revision is being conducted under established rules and is intended to ensure that electoral rolls remain accurate.
Opposition Intensifies Criticism
Opposition parties have continued to raise questions about the Election Commission, particularly over the SIR exercise.
Several opposition leaders have demanded greater transparency in the process and sought clarification over the deletion, verification and restoration of names in electoral rolls.
Congress leaders have also criticised Gyanesh Kumar and demanded his resignation. The party has organised protests and raised the issue in Parliament and outside it.
The opposition’s allegations remain political claims, while the Election Commission has rejected suggestions that it is acting with political bias.
SIR Becomes Centre of Political Dispute
The Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls has become one of the major points of contention between the government and opposition parties.
The exercise involves verifying electoral-roll entries and updating voter information. Election officials have said the process is intended to identify eligible voters and remove or correct entries that do not meet the applicable requirements.
Opposition parties, however, have raised concerns about documentation requirements and the possibility that eligible voters could face difficulties during the verification process.
The Election Commission has said safeguards are in place and that voters have opportunities to submit claims and objections.
Election Commission Says Decisions Were Unanimous
The political dispute has also involved reports about differences within the Election Commission.
Recent reports suggested that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections on certain issues related to electoral-roll revision and other decisions.
The Election Commission subsequently stated that decisions concerning the SIR exercise had received the unanimous approval of all three commissioners, including CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
The clarification was issued amid questions about the internal functioning of the poll panel.
Rijiju Questions Opposition’s Approach
Rijiju has argued that political parties should use established institutional mechanisms to raise concerns about electoral processes.
The minister’s defence of the ECI comes as the opposition seeks greater scrutiny of the poll panel. He has maintained that criticism of an independent constitutional institution should not undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
The government has also pointed to the Election Commission’s constitutional mandate and its responsibility for preparing and maintaining electoral rolls.
Debate Over Electoral Transparency
The dispute has brought electoral transparency and voter-list management into sharper public focus.
Electoral rolls require regular revision because voters move between constituencies, new voters become eligible and some registered voters may become ineligible. Election authorities therefore conduct different types of revisions and verification exercises.
The current political debate centres on how such exercises should be conducted, what documents voters should provide and what safeguards should be available to people whose names are questioned.
Opposition Seeks Greater Accountability
Opposition parties have called for greater accountability from the Election Commission.
Their concerns include the handling of electoral-roll revisions, procedures for dealing with voter objections and the broader question of institutional independence.
Some opposition leaders have also questioned the political neutrality of the poll panel. The Election Commission and the government have rejected allegations that its decisions are politically motivated.
The disagreement has consequently developed into a wider debate about the relationship between political parties and constitutional institutions.
Government Stands by ECI
The Union government has continued to defend the Election Commission during the controversy.
Rijiju’s latest remarks reinforce the government’s position that the poll panel should be allowed to perform its constitutional duties without political pressure.
The government has also maintained that the SIR process is part of the Election Commission’s responsibility to ensure accurate electoral rolls.
At the same time, opposition parties continue to seek explanations and changes to aspects of the exercise.
SIR Process Continues
Despite the political dispute, the SIR exercise continues in the areas covered by the Election Commission’s revision programme.
Voters have been given mechanisms to submit claims, objections and relevant documents where necessary. Election officials are also conducting hearings and verification exercises as part of the process.
The final electoral rolls will be published after the completion of the prescribed stages.
ECI Debate Likely to Continue
Rijiju’s defence of the Election Commission comes at a time when political criticism of the poll panel has intensified.
The government and opposition remain divided over the SIR exercise, the functioning of the Election Commission and allegations concerning its neutrality.
While the opposition continues to demand greater transparency and accountability, the government has defended the independence of the ECI and its constitutional mandate.
The debate is therefore likely to remain a significant political issue as electoral-roll revision continues and parties prepare for upcoming elections.