EC Defends Voter List Purge, Urges Citizens to Reflect on Democracy’s Foundation

The Election Commission of India Thursday, responded to criticism over its Special Intensive Review drive, questioning whether it should allow fake votes to be cast in the name of deceased voters, migrants, or those with duplicate registrations.

In a statement, the ECI emphasised that its efforts to maintain an authentic voter list are crucial for fair elections and a strong democracy.

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“The Constitution of India is the mother of Indian democracy….So, fearing these things, should the Election Commission, getting misled by some people, pave the way for some to cast fake votes in the name of deceased voters, voters who have migrated permanently, voters who have got their votes registered at two places, fake voters or foreign voters, going against the Constitution, first in Bihar, then in the entire country,” the poll panel questioned.

The ECI’s SIR drive in Bihar has faced resistance from the Opposition parties, who claim the process is being used to disenfranchise voters, particularly from marginalised communities. Critics argue that the exercise is being conducted without adequate transparency and could lead to the removal of genuine voters from the electoral rolls.

The Election Commission countered these claims, stating that its process is transparent and aimed at ensuring the integrity of the electoral system. The ECI posed several rhetorical questions, asking whether it should “pave the way for some to cast fake votes” by not removing ineligible voters from the rolls. The commission emphasised that an authentic voter list is the “foundation stone for fair elections and a strong democracy.”

“All of us and all the citizens of India will have to think deeply…And perhaps the most appropriate time for this essential thinking for all of you has now arrived in India,” the EC said.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi today accused the Election Commission of allowing cheating in the voter list revision process.

“We have concrete, 100 per cent proof of the Election Commission allowing cheating in a seat in Karnataka,” Gandhi, who is also the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, said while addressing mediapersons.

Gandhi’s accusations come amid protests by the INDIA bloc parties in Parliament, demanding a discussion on the issue and a rollback of the SIR exercise. “I want to send a message to the Election Commission — if you think you are going to get away with this, if your officers think they are going to get away with this, you are mistaken. You are not going to get away with this because we are going to come for you,” Gandhi said.