Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Sep 26: The Congress on Saturday renewed its demand for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and called for an immediate suspension of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging that the Election Commission of India (ECI) had been forced into a defensive position amid reports of differences within the poll panel.
Congress general secretary (communications) and MP Jairam Ramesh criticised an ECI press release issued after its meeting on Saturday, saying it did not directly deny the allegations reported in the media. The ECI has maintained that its processes are governed by law and its digital systems are designed to facilitate voter registration and electoral services.
Ramesh described the ongoing SIR as a process that, according to the Congress, could lead to the “massive disenfranchisement” of several crore electors.
“Nothing short of the CEC’s resignation or prosecution will suffice,” Ramesh said, referring to what he described as serious differences within the Election Commission.
In a post on X, Ramesh said the ECI's September 26 press note appeared to downplay, rather than directly reject, the allegations contained in recent media reports.
He claimed that the ECI had adopted a defensive position in two paragraphs of its statement but had not said that the allegations were baseless.
Ramesh also referred to the situation in Goa, claiming that 97 voters had been deleted and that 81 of them had subsequently submitted Form 6 applications for inclusion in the electoral rolls.
He alleged that the episode showed deficiencies in the voter-registration process and questioned the deletion and subsequent restoration of voters.
Ramesh further criticised the ECI's reference to a Supreme Court order dated May 27, 2026. He argued that the order preceded the recent allegations and, according to him, could not address questions surrounding the deletion of voters, administrative shortcomings and the costs and inconvenience caused to citizens.
He also questioned the ECI's decision to extend deadlines for voter registration in Delhi and Maharashtra, asking what would happen to voters in Karnataka and Telangana and those whose names were allegedly deleted in Bihar and West Bengal.
The Congress leader also objected to the ECI's proposal to involve experts from IITs and IIITs to review the ECINET portal and submit a report on its compliance with rules.
Ramesh argued that the main concern was not the technical functioning of the portal but what he described as excessive centralisation of the voter-registration process.
The ECI has previously described ECINET as its integrated digital platform for election-related services, including voter registration, electoral-roll searches, application tracking and grievance redressal. The Commission has said the platform was developed in accordance with electoral laws and rules.
Ramesh also alleged that the ECI had failed to address concerns over the registration of first-time, or Gen Z, voters.
He alleged that changes made to Form 6 from mid-July 2026 placed an additional burden on young applicants by requiring details concerning their parents and/or grandparents. The ECI has been criticised by Congress leaders over the issue, while the Commission's voter services portal continues to provide online registration and modification facilities.
Ramesh listed what he described as concerns over unilateral decision-making by the CEC, alleged bias against the Opposition, voter-list deletions and difficulties faced by young voters seeking registration.
He also alleged that the ECI's handling of the voter rolls had resulted in unnecessary hardship and accused the CEC of attempting to shield himself through bureaucratic procedures and protocol.
The Congress leader said the ECI should immediately suspend the ongoing SIR and repeated the party's demand for accountability from the CEC.
The ECI, meanwhile, has continued its SIR-related processes and on Saturday extended certain claim and objection deadlines in Delhi and Maharashtra, allowing electors additional time to seek corrections or raise concerns about the electoral rolls.