NEW DELHI: The Opposition on Monday launched a pointy assault on the Election Fee of India (ECI) after it introduced Section 2 of the Particular Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls throughout 12 states and Union Territories, calling it a “vote theft” train designed to learn the ruling BJP. A number of leaders accused the ballot physique of performing beneath authorities strain, claiming that “in in the present day's India, it is the federal government that chooses voters.”Earlier, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar introduced that the second section of SIR will cowl 51 crore voters and be held between November and February. “The second section will probably be carried out in 12 states and Union Territories. SIR will guarantee no eligible elector is omitted and no ineligible elector is included in ballot rolls,” Kumar mentioned.He added that the enumeration course of will start on November 4, draft rolls will probably be revealed on December 9, and closing rolls will probably be out by February 7, 2026.The 12 states and UTs coated beneath Section 2 embrace Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.Kumar additionally clarified that Assam, which fits to polls in 2026, may have a separate SIR train on account of distinct citizenship provisions.
Congress accuses EC of ‘vote theft'
Reacting sharply, the Congress alleged that the ECI was working in collusion with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to control voter rolls. In a publish on X, the social gathering mentioned, “The Election Fee is now set to play the sport of ‘vote theft' in 12 states. Within the title of SIR, 6.9 million votes have been slashed in Bihar. Now, crores of votes will probably be slashed throughout 12 states.”Calling the transfer a “conspiracy in opposition to democracy,” Congress alleged, “That is blatant ‘vote theft,' which Narendra Modi and the Election Fee are finishing up collectively.” “The Election Fee ought to have been held accountable for these instances. As an alternative, it has develop into a part of the sport of ‘vote theft',” it added.
‘Govt now chooses voters': Uddhav Thackeray
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray went a step additional, demanding authorized motion in opposition to the ballot physique. “A case ought to be registered in opposition to the Election Commissioner for the corrupt apply of bogus voters,” Thackeray mentioned. “Voters elect authorities in a democracy, however in the present day the federal government chooses voters,” he added.
‘Vote theft uncovered in Bihar': Pawan Khera
Congress chief Pawan Khera echoed comparable criticism, questioning the transparency of the SIR course of. “We nonetheless have not acquired solutions to questions associated to the SIR carried out in Bihar to this point. The state of affairs was such that the Supreme Courtroom needed to step in to rectify the SIR course of,” Khera mentioned on X.He alleged that the EC and the BJP have been “working hand in hand.” “The intentions of the Election Fee and the BJP have been uncovered to your complete nation by means of the SIR in Bihar,” he mentioned.“Every time SIR takes place, Election Fee officers go to each family, including new voters and eradicating those that must be deleted from the checklist. Following the revelation of ‘vote theft' linked to Rahul Gandhi ji's Aland Meeting, the SIT has reported {that a} centralised operation was being carried out to take away names from the voter checklist.”“Amid all these points, the Election Fee's conduct of SIR is beneath suspicion, and its intentions don't appear real. Neither the opposition nor the voters are happy,” he added.
‘SIR is a conspiracy in opposition to democracy': Stalin
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK President M.Okay. Stalin additionally hit out on the ECI for scheduling the SIR through the monsoon season. “To hold out Particular Intensive Revision simply months earlier than the election, and particularly through the monsoon months of November and December, brings critical sensible difficulties,” he mentioned.“To conduct SIR in a hasty and opaque method is nothing however a conspiracy by the ECI to rob residents of their rights and assist the BJP. In Bihar, massive numbers of ladies, minorities and other people from SC and ST communities have been faraway from the electoral rolls, and the absence of transparency has fuelled critical suspicion within the public thoughts,” he acknowledged. Stalin introduced that an all-party assembly will probably be held on November 2 in Chennai to debate the problem and determine on the subsequent plan of action.“Following the announcement, we held discussions with our alliance companions, and on that foundation an all social gathering assembly will probably be convened on 2 November to determine the subsequent plan of action. The appropriate to vote is the muse of democracy. Tamil Nadu will struggle in opposition to any try to homicide it, and Tamil Nadu will win,” he mentioned.
‘EC performing as agent': AAP
AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh instructed PTI that the Chief Election Commissioner was “performing as an agent of BJP and PM Modi.”“EC Chief Gyanesh Kumar is a liar, identical to Narendra Modi. He's an agent of the BJP. It's unlucky for the nation that such an individual is the Chief Election Commissioner,” he added.
‘What distinction did SIR make in Bihar?': Prashant Kishor
Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor dismissed the transfer as politically motivated stating that, “SIR was carried out in Bihar. What distinction did it make? Was anybody's title struck off? A number of folks did face difficulties.”“BJP can attempt all it needs, they could need to delete somebody's title, scare another person and trouble somebody. But when folks flip in opposition to you, do any SIR or FIR, there will probably be no person to save lots of you,” he added.The EC earlier accomplished Section 1 of the SIR in Bihar, the place the ultimate checklist of seven.42 crore electors was revealed on September 30. Polling in Bihar will happen in two phases — on November 6 and November 11 — with relying on November 14.
