The Tripura unit of the INDIA bloc will stage a protest on October 30, demanding the scrapping of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and action on two other demands related to electoral transparency and democratic safeguards.
According to CPI(M) state secretary Jitendra Chaudhury, the protest will begin with a gathering at Orient Chowmuhani at 11 am, followed by a march to the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Tripura, where the demonstrators will submit a memorandum outlining their demands.
Addressing a press conference at Agartala Press Club on Saturday, Chaudhury accused the BJP-led Central government of undermining the country's electoral system and constitutional framework. He raised concerns over the impartiality of the Election Commission of India, alleging that the electoral process was increasingly being influenced in favour of the ruling party.
Chaudhury expressed apprehension that the SIR exercise could lead to the exclusion of a large number of legitimate voters from electoral rolls. He also referred to discussions suggesting that around 2.5 lakh voters in Tripura could face the risk of exclusion, although independently verified evidence supporting this figure was not presented at the press conference.
The four demands raised by the INDIA bloc include the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, cancellation of the SIR process, reconsideration and repeal of the relevant legal provisions concerning the Election Commission in the interest of institutional impartiality and democratic safeguards, and opposition to provisions granting legal protection to the Chief Election Commissioner.
Chaudhury called upon opposition parties to unite in defence of democracy and the Constitution, describing the October 30 programme as part of a broader movement to protect citizens' voting rights.
Meanwhile, Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee president Asish Kumar Saha also expressed concern over the functioning of the Election Commission and the conduct of the SIR exercise.
Saha alleged that several questions had been raised about the functioning of the poll panel under Gyanesh Kumar's leadership. He further claimed that important decisions were being taken without adequately considering the views of the other two Election Commissioners.
Referring to allegations raised by Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi regarding the electoral process and voter lists, Saha said an investigative report published in The Indian Express had added a new dimension to the ongoing debate over electoral transparency.
The Congress leader alleged that the SIR exercise could result in the disenfranchisement of a significant number of people perceived to support opposition parties. He questioned changes in the established procedures for voter registration, including the introduction of new forms, claiming that such changes could potentially benefit the BJP electorally.
Saha also raised concerns over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls, including unusually large numbers of voters registered at residential complexes and instances of individuals allegedly appearing on voter lists at multiple locations. Citing an alleged case in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, where more than 13,000 voters were reportedly registered at a single address, he questioned the transparency and reliability of the electoral rolls. These allegations, however, require independent verification.
According to Saha, the possible deletion of legitimate voters and alleged discrepancies in electoral rolls could undermine the credibility of free and fair elections. He stressed the need for a nationwide movement to safeguard voting rights and uphold constitutional values.
Clarifying the objective of the campaign, Saha said the movement was not intended to serve the electoral interests of any particular political party but was aimed at protecting citizens' fundamental democratic rights. He appealed to political parties outside the INDIA bloc, as well as individuals committed to democratic principles, to join the campaign.
Taking a swipe at the ruling party in Tripura, the Congress president argued that electoral victories alone did not necessarily reflect genuine public support. He also alleged that the use of money power and muscle power could turn elections into a farce.
Saha maintained that the campaign to protect voting rights was not a temporary political exercise but part of a larger struggle to defend democracy, constitutional values and the integrity of the electoral process.
