Sign In
By signing in or creating an account, you agree with Associated Broadcasting Company's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
By signing in or creating an account, you agree with Associated Broadcasting Company's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
New Delhi: Launching a scathing attack on the Election Commission (EC) over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) operation in Bihar, the INDIA bloc on Sunday alleged that the voter deletion process lacked transparency, had inaccurate data, and reeked of an attitude of institutional arrogance.
Pointing at EC data that over 63 lakh voters were marked “not at address” due to death, migration, or host of other reasons, the Opposition called for an immediate halt to the exercise.
The Opposition also pointed out that the issue impacts not just INDIA bloc voters but NDA allies as well, and pledged to take the matter to the public.
Abhishek Manu Singhvi of Congress said that the entire exercise shows institutional arrogance. "There are too many inconsistencies and no clarity. This is not a correction exercise; this is exclusion in the name of verification.”
Manoj Jha of RJD pointed out that 63 lakh voters are being considered for deletion, and the number may grow. "This is disenfranchisement.”
In its statement, the India bloc stated: “Our apprehension is turning out to be true. We had warned that this drive would ultimately lead to the exclusion of nearly 2 crore people.”
“The EC is basing voter deletions on flawed form-based data. The scrutiny is not over; more exclusions are likely in the coming month.” The Opposition said it will go to the people on the issue.
On Thursday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said the Election Commission is not functioning as the Election Commission of India. The Opposition has also warned that continued deletion without proper verification threatens democratic participation.
