“SIR needs to be cancelled”: Congress MP Manish Tewari demands restoration of 2024 Electoral Roll
Congress MP Manish Tewari demands the scrapping of Special Intensive Revision, alleging 13 crore voters have been deprived of their rights.
In a scathing attack on the electoral process, Congress MP Manish Tewari has demanded the immediate cancellation of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), alleging that the exercise has stripped more than 13 crore people of their fundamental right to vote.
'More People Denied Voting Than the Population of Many Nations'
Speaking on the gravity of the situation, Tewari highlighted the massive scale of the alleged disenfranchisement. He drew a startling comparison between the number of affected individuals and global demographics to illustrate the magnitude of the issue.
“There are many countries with a total population of 10 crore. Globally, only 16 countries have a population exceeding 10 crore; thus, the number of people here who have been denied the right to vote exceeds the entire population of many nations,” Tewari stated.
The Congress leader has proposed a specific remedy to rectify the situation: the restoration of the electoral roll that was in effect when the Lok Sabha election results were officially declared on June 4, 2024. Furthermore, he has called for the immediate resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner, asserting that this demand represents the voice of the entire nation.
RJD MP Manoj Jha Backs Protests at Jantar Mantar
The controversy has gained significant momentum as Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Manoj Jha voiced his support for the opposition parties' protests currently taking place at Jantar Mantar. Jha noted that the protest, occurring on Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary, is not merely a political move by opposition parties but a movement representing concerned citizens.
Jha leveled heavy accusations against the Election Commission, suggesting that the institution is no longer functioning independently. He alleged that decisions are being made by a "puppet whose strings are pulled elsewhere," implying external influence over democratic processes.
Allegations of Systematic Irregularities
Addressing the technical aspects of the SIR and the issues surrounding Form 8, Jha claimed that irregularities have been committed in a systematic manner. He questioned the lack of transparency and the failure of the Commission to provide explanations for recent developments.
- Questionable Timing: Jha pointed out that while some reports suggest the SIR has ended, people are still filing documentation, raising questions about the process's integrity.
- Admission of Error: He argued that the Election Commission's decision to conduct a special drive in 20 states is an implicit admission that the previous concerns raised by critics were valid.
- Legal Implications: Describing the actions as a "systematic crime," Jha stated that under basic criminal law, these developments amount to a confession of illegality.
Jha also referenced previous concerns raised by RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav regarding postal ballots in 2020, suggesting a pattern of shielding high-ranking officials from accountability. He concluded by alleging that the "thread goes right to the top," hinting at involvement from the highest levels of government in the alleged attempts to damage democratic institutions.