D K Shivakumar Demands CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s Resignation, Fresh SIR
Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Thursday demanded the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and cancellation of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR), calling for a fresh revision of electoral rolls to protect every citizen’s voting rights.
Speaking to reporters near his Sadashivanagar residence on September 24, Shivakumar alleged that the exercise was not being conducted properly and called for a wider debate in Karnataka and Parliament.
“The right to vote is the right to life,” he said, adding that the issue concerned every citizen, irrespective of whether they voted for the Congress or the BJP.
Shivakumar alleges over one crore votes removed in Karnataka
Shivakumar alleged that more than one crore votes had been removed in Karnataka. He said he had cooperated with the revision as Chief Minister but had asked the state election commission on Wednesday to allow more time for the SIR process. He would announce how to raise the issue and protest after the electoral rolls were finalised, he added.
He credited Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi with raising concerns about voting rights from Bengaluru. Accusing the central government of “vote theft”, he alleged that voting rights were being misused for political purposes.
He further alleged that an irregular system had been used to undermine governments in West Bengal, Bihar and other states, and that attempts were being made to repeat this in Karnataka and elsewhere.
Calls for scrutiny of Election Commission decisions
Referring to what he described as differences among Election Commission members, Shivakumar alleged misuse of the institution’s autonomy. He asserted that announcements and decisions could not be made unilaterally without the support of two-thirds of its members, and said state officials should not be pressured or threatened in the Commission’s name.
He urged Kumar to accept moral responsibility and resign voluntarily, and demanded a fresh SIR exercise that ensured every citizen’s voting rights.
Shivakumar said the special legislature session had been convened to discuss drought and the Kasturirangan report. He would review the SIR issue after the session concluded on Thursday, and wanted it debated on a larger scale.
Referring to Forms 6, 7 and 8 used in the electoral-roll process, he alleged that the exercise was undemocratic and was suppressing the voices of illiterate people and vulnerable sections. He called for a comprehensive review of the situation and re-examination of voter data.
About the Author
