Congress Demands CEC’s Resignation, Calls for Scrapping SIR ;

Nilanshu Chaturvedi alleges lack of transparency in electoral roll revision; seeks restoration of names of eligible voters.

Dillip Kumar Pattnaik

KHORDHA, OCTOBER 28: The Congress on Wednesday demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and called for the scrapping of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging a lack of transparency in the exercise and expressing concern over the exclusion of eligible voters.

Addressing a press conference at the Khordha District Congress Committee office, All India Congress Committee (AICC) observer Nilanshu Chaturvedi described the ongoing SIR exercise as illegal and demanded the restoration of the names of eligible voters allegedly left out of the electoral rolls. He also questioned the functioning of the Election Commission of India, alleging that its conduct had raised concerns about the independence and credibility of the electoral process.
The press conference was presided over by Khordha District Congress Committee president Rajib Pattnaik.
Chaturvedi said electoral roll revision must be conducted through a transparent and impartial process that safeguards the voting rights of every eligible citizen. He expressed concern that errors or omissions during the exercise could deprive genuine voters of their democratic rights.
He also called for the repeal of the law governing the appointment of election commissioners, arguing that the Election Commission, as a constitutional body, must function independently and without political influence.
The Congress leader further advocated wider electoral reforms, including the introduction of proportional representation. He urged the authorities to take effective measures to curb the influence of money and muscle power in elections, stressing that free and fair polls were essential to the functioning of a healthy democracy.
Alleging that the conduct of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar had undermined public confidence in democratic institutions, Chaturvedi demanded his immediate resignation. He maintained that transparency, accountability and impartiality were indispensable to ensuring public trust in the electoral system.
The Congress reiterated its demand for adequate safeguards during the SIR process, asserting that no eligible voter should lose the right to vote because of administrative errors or omissions. It called upon the authorities to ensure that the revision exercise was conducted fairly and that the names of genuine voters were retained in the electoral rolls.
Following the press conference, Congress workers attended a meeting at the district party office to discuss organisational matters and party activities.
Former minister Suresh Kumar Routray, PCC general secretary and Khordha district in-charge Priyabrata Samantaray, Begunia Assembly constituency candidate Pruthiballabh Pattnaik, Khordha Assembly constituency candidate Sonali Sahu, Jatani Assembly constituency candidate Santosh Jena and Chilika Assembly constituency candidate Pradeep Swain attended the meeting.
Others present included Swagatika Pattnaik, Satyajit Pattnaik, Sadashib Mahapatra, Sisir Parida, Ashok Mangaraj, Jayshree Patnaik, Afsana Begum, Ranjit Mahapatra, Shailendu Das, Subhranshu Patnaik, Maumudin Mohammad, Akshaya Mahapatra, Pradosh Harichandan, Jayanta Das, Fakir Sahu, Pramod Swain, Tapas Mishra, Sheikh Sajid, Pratap Behera, Janmajaya Swain, Soumya Pattnaik, Ramakanta Pattnaik, Ugrasen Biswal and Shriya Sethi.