Accuse him of acting like BJP spokesperson
Opposition parties on Monday accused the Election Commission of failing to discharge its constitutional duty of ensuring a free and fair electoral system, and did not rule out moving an impeachment motion against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, whom they alleged was acting like a “BJP spokesperson”.
Addressing a press conference here, representatives of eight prominent parties — Congress, TMC, SP, DMK, RJD, CPI(M), AAP and SS-UBT — said the CEC had “failed” to answer their questions on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and issues related to voter list irregularities and chose to attack them at his presser on Sunday.
The EC has “completely failed” in discharging its constitutional duty of ensuring a free and fair electoral system in the country. It has now become clear that the EC is not being led by officers who can ensure a level playing field, a joint statement on behalf of 20 opposition political parties alleged. “The right to vote is the most important right given by the Constitution to a common citizen. Democracy depends on it. EC is the body meant to protect it… But we can see that the CEC did not reply to the important questions being raised by the political parties, and is running away from its responsibility,” Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi said at the press conference.
TMC’s Mahua Moitra echoed the demand of some other opposition leaders that the Lok Sabha should be dissolved as the last elections were held on “faulty” voter list.
CPI-M leader John Brittas said the opposition parties firmly believe that the CEC has “forfeited the right to be in that constitutional position and has declared war on opposition parties by holding a press conference”.
Asked how serious they are in moving a motion in Parliament to remove CEC Gyanesh Kumar, Gogoi said, “The issue has been discussed and to a great extent an agreement has been reached. We will take the right decision at the right time.” RJD’s Manoj Jha said, “All parliamentary and legal options are open before us, and will be used.”
The procedure for removing the CEC is the same as that for removing a Supreme Court or High Court judge. As per law, the CEC can be removed only by Parliament. The Constitution says a motion supported by 50 MPs of the Rajya Sabha or 100 MPs of the Lok Sabha has to be moved in Parliament and passed by the House with a two-thirds majority of those present and voting.
The statement by opposition parties claimed that it is now clear that those who lead the EC “divert and thwart any attempt at a meaningful inquiry into voter fraud and instead opt to intimidate those who challenge the ruling party. This is a serious indictment”.
It also said that “the CEC offered no comment or clarification on why the Bihar SIR was being conducted in such a hasty, ill-prepared and ad-hoc manner”.
The CEC offered no comments on allegations of voter fraud levelled by Rahul Gandhi, the joint statement claimed, adding, “The CEC refused to answer any hard questions with regard to why no inquiry or investigation had taken place on the allegations of voter fraud.”
Gogoi said while the Election Commission is the protector of the right to vote and is a vital constitutional institution, it is unable to provide satisfactory answers to many important questions raised by political parties, he said.
“Instead, it appears to be avoiding its responsibility and trying to run away from accountability,” he claimed.
SP’s Ramgopal Yadav noted that the EC has repeatedly said that the allegations being made by the opposition parties should be submitted through an affidavit.