Reported by Mrinal Kanti Banik
Agartala: The INDIA bloc’s Tripura unit will stage a protest on October 30, demanding the scrapping of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, CPI(M) state secretary and Leader of Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury said on Saturday.
Addressing a press conference at the Agartala Press Club, Chaudhury said leaders and workers of the opposition alliance would gather at Orient Chowmuhani at 11 am before marching to the office of Tripura’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) to submit a memorandum outlining four demands.
Chaudhury accused the BJP-led Central government of undermining the country’s electoral system and constitutional framework. He also questioned the Election Commission’s impartiality, alleging that concerns had grown over the conduct of electoral processes in ways that could favour the ruling party.
Expressing apprehension over the SIR exercise, the CPI(M) leader warned that a large number of eligible voters could be removed from the electoral rolls. He estimated that around 2.5 lakh voters in Tripura could face deletion.
The INDIA bloc’s four demands include the removal of Kumar as Chief Election Commissioner, cancellation of the SIR exercise, a review and repeal of laws that the alliance believes weaken the Election Commission’s independence and the democratic framework, and opposition to provisions granting legal protection to the Chief Election Commissioner.
Chaudhury urged opposition parties to come together to safeguard democracy and uphold the Constitution, describing the October 30 demonstration as part of a wider campaign.
Meanwhile, Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee president Asish Kumar Saha also questioned the functioning of the Election Commission under Kumar’s leadership. He alleged that significant decisions were being taken without adequately considering the views of the other two election commissioners.
Saha referred to information and documents on electoral processes and voter lists made public by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. He also cited an investigative report published by The Indian Express, saying it had brought additional concerns to the forefront.
The Congress leader alleged that the SIR exercise could result in the disenfranchisement of voters perceived to support opposition parties. He also questioned changes to existing voter registration procedures and the introduction of new forms, claiming these could provide an electoral advantage to the BJP.
Saha further alleged irregularities involving unusually high numbers of voters registered at particular residential addresses and individuals whose names appeared on electoral rolls at multiple locations. Referring to an alleged instance in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district, he claimed that more than 13,000 voters were registered at a single address. These allegations have not been independently verified.
Describing the INDIA bloc’s campaign as an effort to protect citizens’ voting rights and democratic institutions, Saha appealed to political parties outside the alliance and others concerned about democracy to join the movement.
He also accused the ruling party in Tripura of using money and muscle power to influence elections, arguing that electoral victories did not necessarily reflect the full extent of public support.
The October 30 protest is expected to focus on the opposition alliance’s concerns over the SIR process, voter registration procedures and the independence of the Election Commission.
