Media Release
Mangaluru, Oct 13: The Catholic Sabha, Mangalore Pradesh (R), has submitted a memorandum to the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, seeking urgent intervention and an impartial inquiry into alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and concerns regarding the functioning and accountability of the Election Commission of India (ECI), particularly its Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar.
The memorandum was submitted to Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner Darshan H V at his office in Praja Soudha, Mangaluru. The Deputy Commissioner received the memorandum and assured the delegation that it would be forwarded to the President for consideration.
In the memorandum, the Catholic Sabha expressed serious concern over alleged discrepancies in electoral rolls, the possibility of eligible voters being excluded and the need for transparency and accountability in the electoral revision process. It emphasised that the credibility of Indian democracy depends on the preparation of accurate electoral rolls and ensuring that every eligible citizen has a fair opportunity to exercise their constitutional right to vote.
The representation stressed that while the removal of duplicate and ineligible entries is a legitimate administrative objective, the process must strictly adhere to constitutional principles, applicable electoral laws and the principles of natural justice. It called for adequate safeguards to prevent the wrongful deletion of eligible voters and accessible mechanisms to verify, correct and restore names wherever necessary.
The memorandum also highlighted the importance of examining concerns regarding the decision-making procedures and institutional accountability of the Election Commission of India. It called for an impartial examination of the allegations by the competent authorities, emphasising that any findings must be based on evidence and established through due process.
Key Demands in the Memorandum
The Catholic Sabha put forward the following demands:
An independent and impartial inquiry into the alleged irregularities in the SIR process.
An appropriate examination of the allegations concerning the functioning and decision-making of the Chief Election Commissioner.
Effective safeguards to ensure that no eligible voter is wrongfully excluded from the electoral rolls.
Greater transparency in the publication of electoral data, including additions, deletions, objections and grievance redressal.
Appropriate legal and administrative action wherever violations or misconduct are established through an impartial inquiry.
Protection of the independence, impartiality and credibility of the Election Commission of India.
Stronger safeguards and effective grievance-redressal mechanisms in future electoral revision exercises.
The Catholic Sabha reiterated that the independence of constitutional institutions is fundamental to a healthy democracy, but such independence must go hand in hand with transparency, accountability and strict adherence to the law.
The organisation appealed to the competent constitutional authorities to address the concerns raised in the memorandum in the larger interest of democratic governance and the protection of citizens’ electoral rights. It maintained that every allegation must be examined fairly and impartially, and that any established wrongdoing must be dealt with in accordance with the law.
The delegation expressed hope that the representation would receive due consideration and that appropriate steps would be taken to safeguard the integrity of electoral rolls and strengthen public confidence in India's democratic institutions.
The delegation comprised Rev. Fr Rupesh Madtha and Roy Castelino, PROs of the Diocese of Mangalore; Santhosh D’Souza, President, Catholic Sabha, Mangalore Pradesh (R); Stany Lobo, former President and Political Convenor; Wilma Monteiro, General Secretary; Usha Fernandes, Secretary, Pastoral Council, Diocese of Mangalore; Sunil Monis, Vice-President; and Alphonse Fernandes and Clitus Lobo, Catholic Sabha Varado Presidents, along with other office-bearers and members of the organisation.