A debate is underway in the Lok Sabha on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process of electoral rolls initiated by the Election Commission (ECI) in various states. Starting the debate from the opposition, Congress MP Manish Tewari said that this process raises questions on the impartiality of the Election Commission. Questions are being raised about the Election Commission and there is confusion among the people about the Election Commission. He said that the biggest electoral reform in the country was initiated by Rajiv Gandhi.
The lower house of Parliament, Lok Sabha, is debating the issue of ongoing electoral reforms in the country. Opposition parties have been demanding a debate on SIR for a long time, with the Congress alleging irregularities in the voter list.
Congress’ 3 major demands on electoral reforms
Senior Congress MP Manish Tewari made three major demands in Parliament regarding electoral reforms. First, the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court should be included in the selection of Election Commission officers. Second, the way the SIR process is being conducted is wrong. It is wrong to implement it in the entire state; it is done only in the assembly or Lok Sabha constituency from which the complaint is received. There should be a ban on transferring money to accounts before elections. Making his third demand, he said that elections should be conducted using paper ballots.
Speaking during the ongoing debate on electoral reforms, MP Manish Tewari said, “It is unfortunate that many members here are questioning the impartiality of the Election Commission of India.” He targeted the Election Commission and said that its impartiality is being questioned. There is a confusing situation regarding the Commission.
The biggest reform during Rajiv Gandhi’s era
Demanding elections through ballot papers, Congress MP Manish Tewari questioned whether elections should be conducted through ballot papers or whether 100% VVPAT counting should be done instead of EVM counting, claiming that EVM votes can be tampered with. He also said that the biggest electoral reform in the country took place during Rajiv Gandhi’s tenure when the voting age was reduced from 21 to 18 years.
CJI-LOP should also be included in the selection panel-Tiwari
During the debate, Congress MP Manish Tewari also made suggestions regarding the appointment of members of the Election Commission. He said in the Lok Sabha, “I suggest that the existing three-member panel for the selection of the CEC and the Election Commissions should include two members, the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and the Chief Justice of India (CJI).”
Issues related to electoral reforms are being discussed in the Lok Sabha. The House will discuss all aspects of electoral reforms, including SIR, on Tuesday and Wednesday, while the Rajya Sabha will discuss electoral reforms tomorrow, Wednesday and Thursday.
Former Union Minister Manish Tewari opened the debate on behalf of the Congress in the Lok Sabha. Apart from him, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, KC Venugopal, Varsha Gaikwad, Mohammad Javed, Ujjwal Raman Singh, Imran Masood, Ravi Mallu, Isha Khan Chaudhary, Gowal Kagda Padvi and Jyotimani will also present their views on electoral reforms.
