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 profit the ruling BJP. A number of leaders accused the ballot physique of performing beneath authorities strain, claiming that “in at this time’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 can 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 can be printed on December 9, and remaining rolls can be out by February 7, 2026.The 12 states and UTs lined beneath Section 2 embody 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 matches to polls in 2026, could have a separate SIR train as a consequence 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 put up on X, the get together mentioned, “The Election Fee is now set to play the sport of ‘vote theft’ in 12 states. Within the identify of SIR, 6.9 million votes have been slashed in Bihar. Now, crores of votes can be slashed throughout 12 states.”Calling the transfer a “conspiracy towards 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 turn 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 towards the ballot physique. “A case ought to be registered towards the Election Commissioner for the corrupt observe of bogus voters,” Thackeray mentioned. “Voters elect authorities in a democracy, however at this time 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 obtained solutions to questions associated to the SIR carried out in Bihar thus far. The scenario 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 entire nation by means of the SIR in Bihar,” he mentioned.“Each time SIR takes place, Election Fee officers go to each family, including new voters and eradicating those that should be deleted from the record. 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 record.”“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 towards democracy’: Stalin
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK President M.Ok. 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 girls, 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 said. Stalin introduced that an all-party assembly can be held on November 2 in Chennai to debate the difficulty and determine on the following plan of action.“Following the announcement, we held discussions with our alliance companions, and on that foundation an all get together assembly can be convened on 2 November to determine the following plan of action. The proper to vote is the inspiration of democracy. Tamil Nadu will combat towards any try to homicide it, and Tamil Nadu will win,” he mentioned.
‘EC performing as agent’: AAP
AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh advised 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 it make in Bihar?: Prashant Kishor
Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor dismissed the transfer as politically motivated stating that, “SIR was completed in Bihar. What distinction did it make? Was anybody’s identify struck off? Just a few individuals did face difficulties.”“BJP can attempt all it needs, they could need to delete somebody’s identify, scare another person and trouble somebody. But when individuals flip towards you, do any SIR or FIR, there can be no person to avoid wasting you,” he added.The EC earlier accomplished Section 1 of the SIR in Bihar, the place the ultimate record of seven.42 crore electors was printed on September 30. Polling in Bihar will happen in two phases — on November 6 and November 11 — with relying on November 14.