Congress leader Pawan Khera Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission of India (ECI), accusing the poll body of conspiring to disenfranchise voters in Bihar ahead of the Assembly elections.
Khera alleged that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list is a ploy to suppress democratic rights, particularly targeting the poor and minority communities.
“The Election Commission runs like PM Modi’s puppet,” he alleged, questioning the timing of the voter list revision. “Why is this being done now, right before elections? How will it be completed in one month in flood-affected areas,” he asked.
He further emphasized that the door-to-door verification process requiring voters to prove their citizenship is an attempt to eliminate the existence of the people of Bihar.
Khera’s remarks came in the wake of the poll body’s announcement of the revision of electoral rolls in Bihar which has sparked apprehensions that the initiative might lead to disenfranchisement of genuine voters. The Congress leader’s accusations have added fuel to the fire with many questioning the impartiality of the ECI.
Khera claimed that the revision process that aims to target vulnerable communities is impractical, especially in flood-affected areas.
He also criticizes the requirement for voters to provide valid documents to prove their citizenship, calling it an attempt to suppress voting rights.
The Congress leader questioned the ECI’s independence, accusing it of acting in favour of the ruling party.
To support his argument, Khera, in a post on his X handle, quoted Baba Saheb Ambedkar: “Franchise is the most fundamental thing in democracy…..To prevent injustice to those racially, linguistically, or culturally different from the dominant people in Province, the election machinery must be under a Central Election Commission….so that no injustice may be done to any citizen in India.”
He also highlighted Article 326 of the Constitution, which guarantees that every citizen of India, who is not less than 18 years of age and is not otherwise disqualified under the Constitution or any law made by the appropriate legislature, is entitled to be registered as a voter.
Khera’s criticism of the ECI is also reflective of his concerns about the erosion of democratic institutions in India. As he has previously stated, “Our Constitution has been given by Ambedkar ji, the people of this country and our freedom struggle. Such insults to him will not be tolerated by India.”