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Yadav Challenges Electoral Integrity Amid SIR Controversy
RJD national working president Tejashwi Yadav on Friday accused the Election Commission of undermining democracy, alleging that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process was systematically excluding eligible voters. Yadav, who serves as the Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Assembly, demanded the cancellation of recent elections held in all five states, including Bihar.
His remarks followed a report by The Indian Express indicating that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had formally objected at least 14 times over the past 10 months to decisions and orders of the poll panel. These objections concerned the addition, deletion, and restoration of voters, as well as changes to the voter registration process.
In a post on X, Yadav questioned why two commissioners were now questioning the poll panel's functioning after remaining silent for so long. "The recent elections in all five states, including Bihar, should be cancelled," he wrote. "Why were the two Election Commissioners now questioning the poll panel's functioning silent for so long? The SIR process is excluding eligible voters and the EC has been reduced to a tool for undermining democracy."
Yadav further alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah had turned the poll panel into a "tool for dismantling democracy." He stated that his party would burn an effigy of the Election Commission across Bihar in protest.
Government Response to Opposition Criticism
Union minister Chirag Paswan responded to questions regarding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation by stating that the Election Commission should firmly present its position if questions were being raised against it. Paswan added that he did not care about the opposition because their job is to do politics.
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between political parties and the electoral body regarding voter list revisions. The SIR process has been a point of contention, with critics arguing it disenfranchises certain groups while supporters claim it ensures accuracy in electoral rolls.
