Priyanka Gandhi Calls Voter Roll Tampering ‘Treason’, Demands Prosecution of CEC

NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 24: Congress general secretary and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has intensified the Opposition’s criticism of the Election Commission over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging that large-scale exclusion of names from voter lists amounts to an assault on democracy and the Constitution.

Speaking on the controversy, Priyanka said any attempt to interfere with the electoral process was a serious offence against the nation. “Anybody who plays around with the democratic process of our elections is committing treason against this nation,” she said.

Referring to figures cited by the Opposition showing that more than 13 crore names were excluded from draft electoral rolls during the SIR exercise, she alleged that tampering with voter rolls and deleting voters constituted a criminal act against democracy, the Constitution and the nation.

Priyanka also alleged that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar had been aware of concerns raised within the Election Commission regarding the revision process but had failed to act. She demanded that criminal proceedings be initiated against the CEC and that he be tried for treason.

Her remarks came amid a growing political controversy over the functioning of the poll panel following a report in The Indian Express that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had reportedly raised objections on at least 14 occasions over a 10-month period concerning decisions and orders related to electoral-roll revisions.

The report has intensified Opposition scrutiny of the Election Commission, with Congress leaders arguing that the reported internal objections raise questions about the transparency and functioning of the electoral-roll revision process.

The SIR exercise has involved a large-scale revision of electoral rolls in several states and Union Territories. The publication of draft rolls has led to the exclusion of more than 13 crore names, according to figures cited by the Opposition.

The Election Commission, however, has maintained that exclusion from a draft electoral roll does not constitute final deletion. It has said eligible voters can file claims and objections under the prescribed procedure and that deletions are carried out through established processes involving verification, notices and opportunities for affected voters to respond.

The poll panel has also maintained that differences or observations during internal deliberations do not, by themselves, indicate any breakdown in the functioning of the Commission, whose decisions are taken within its constitutional and statutory mandate.

The Opposition has continued to question the implementation and transparency of the SIR exercise, expressing concern that eligible voters could be denied their voting rights if they are unable to complete the claims and objections process.

The Election Commission has said the revision is intended to ensure accurate and updated electoral rolls and stressed that voters whose names have been wrongly excluded can seek restoration through the prescribed administrative and legal mechanisms.

Priyanka Gandhi’s latest remarks add to mounting Congress pressure on the poll panel, with the party demanding greater accountability over the electoral-roll revision process and questioning the role of the Chief Election Commissioner.