Massive Signature Campaign Reaches Delhi
The Jharkhand unit of Congress has made a significant political move by dispatching 16 lakh signatures collected during its extensive statewide campaign to the party's national headquarters in New Delhi. This substantial public response represents one of the largest grassroots political initiatives in recent state history.
Vote Chor Gaddi Chhod Campaign Details
The signature drive, conducted under the banner 'Vote Chor Gaddi Chhod', ran for exactly one month from September 15 to October 15. This campaign formed part of a broader nationwide effort by the Congress party to highlight concerns about electoral integrity and push for systematic reforms in the voting process.
Jharkhand Congress affairs in-charge K Raju, while addressing media representatives alongside other party officials, revealed startling allegations about voter list irregularities. "Out of two crore voters in Jharkhand, we have evidence suggesting that approximately 25 lakh fake voters have been identified," Raju stated, emphasizing that this issue has been consistently raised by senior leader Rahul Gandhi.
Constitutional Rights and Electoral Integrity
The Congress leader stressed the fundamental importance of voting rights in a democratic system. "The right to vote in democracy represents a Constitutional right granted to citizens specifically for strengthening democratic institutions. However, we believe the BJP is systematically undermining this right through attempts to manipulate the electoral process using the Election Commission," he asserted during the press conference.
The primary objective behind this massive signature campaign focuses on compelling the Election Commission of India to address five specific demands for electoral reforms. These crucial demands include providing comprehensive voter lists containing clear photographs, detailed residence information, and other verifiable details that would enhance transparency.
Specific Allegations and Demands
Raju elaborated on the party's concerns, stating, "The Election Commission has unfortunately discontinued several verification processes, creating opportunities for the BJP to add fake voters in a concentrated manner." He further supported these claims by referencing similar situations in other states, noting that "in Bihar, lakhs of legitimate voters were inexplicably removed from voter lists under the Systematic Identification and Registration process."
The Jharkhand Congress leader emphasized that with the state having over 2 crore eligible voters, ensuring the accuracy and integrity of voter lists becomes paramount for free and fair elections. The delivery of 16 lakh signatures to Delhi represents a significant escalation in the party's efforts to bring national attention to these electoral concerns and pressure authorities into implementing necessary reforms.
