Congress Leader Demands Full Transparency from Election Commission on Gujarat Voter Roll Updates
In a significant development, Gujarat Congress president Amit Chavda has formally urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to ensure complete transparency regarding the recent updates to the state's electoral rolls. This demand comes in response to the final electoral roll published on Tuesday, which included substantial changes.
Call for Detailed Booth-Wise Disclosure
Chavda emphasized that the ECI should provide a comprehensive booth-wise disclosure of all new voters added and those whose names were cancelled during the special intensive revision (SIR) exercise. He argued that such transparency is crucial to address potential discrepancies and uphold the integrity of the electoral process.
"The ECI must make a transparent booth-wise disclosure of all the newly added voters, as well as the cancelled voters," Chavda stated. "Additionally, the ECI must provide specific details on what legal or procedural grounds the voters were removed from the electoral list."
Concerns Over Voter Rights and Roll Changes
Reacting to the statewide announcement of the final electoral roll, Chavda highlighted that the Congress party has consistently advocated for protecting the fundamental right to vote throughout the SIR process. He expressed concerns that eligible voters might be unjustly denied this right due to opaque procedures.
The published data reveals that 9.56 lakh new voters were included in the electoral rolls, while 3.95 lakh names were permanently cancelled. Chavda's demand aims to scrutinize these figures closely, ensuring that every addition and deletion is justified and transparent.
Key Points from the Congress Demand
- Full transparency in the electoral roll revision process.
- Booth-wise disclosure of new and cancelled voters.
- Clear explanation of legal grounds for voter cancellations.
- Protection of voting rights for all eligible citizens.
This move by the Congress party underscores ongoing political tensions in Gujarat, with electoral roll accuracy being a critical issue ahead of potential elections. The ECI's response to these demands will be closely watched, as it could impact voter confidence and electoral fairness in the state.
