Mamata Banerjee Demands Bengal Repoll, Seeks Arrest Of CEC Gyanesh Kumar Over SIR Row

Trinamool Congress chief, former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday called for re-polling in the state based on the roll of voters issued before the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).

Banerjee also called for the arrest of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and announced plans for protests across the country, intensifying the political confrontation over the Election Commission's functioning and the SIR exercise.

Speaking during a Facebook Live session, Banerjee alleged that the BJP and the Election Commission had compromised the West Bengal Assembly election held earlier this year. She also alleged that the CEC was “compromised” and demanded that he be removed from office.

These are political allegations made by Banerjee and have not been established as findings against the Election Commission.

Demand Comes After Report On EC Commissioners' Objections

Banerjee's remarks followed an Indian Express investigation reporting that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections on several occasions over decisions linked to electoral-roll revision.

The report said that the two commissioners had raised objections at least 14 times in the last 10 months, such as on voter deletions, additions and electoral-roll data management.

The report elicited a critique from several opposition parties, who have expressed doubt over the working of the poll panel and asked the CEC to take note of the working of poll panel and take action against the same.

Election Commission Says Decisions Were Unanimous

The Election Commission has rejected the suggestion that the reported objections indicate a breakdown or split within the poll panel.

The ECI said written observations, queries and differing views during internal deliberations are part of the normal decision-making process. It maintained that all final decisions taken by the full Commission over the past year, including those concerning SIR, were unanimous.

The poll body also said focusing on selected internal notes without considering its wider decisions, instructions and electoral reforms presents only part of its functioning.

Mamata Calls For Pan-India Protests

Banerjee said protests should continue across the country as long as Gyanesh Kumar remains Chief Election Commissioner.

She also called for the West Bengal Assembly election to be held again using the earlier electoral roll, saying opposition parties that are part of the INDIA bloc had discussed the issue and would meet to decide their next course of action.

Political Dispute Over SIR Intensifies

The latest confrontation adds to an already intense political debate over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

Opposition parties have questioned aspects of the SIR process and the Election Commission's handling of electoral data, while the poll body has maintained that the exercise is being conducted under its statutory mandate.

The dispute over the reported internal objections has now broadened into a larger political argument over the independence and functioning of the Election Commission. The ECI, however, continues to maintain that its final decisions were taken unanimously by the full Commission.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Susmita Modak

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Always love to raise the unraised matter. In a world of worries, I am always ready to come over my comfort zone and taking the step ahead of spreading awareness.

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