Congress MPs on Tuesday moved an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha demanding immediate suspension of the allegedly unplanned and hasty Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists and excessive pressure on Booth Level Officers (BLOs), which has allegedly led to several deaths.
Congress MP Manickam Tagore moved an adjournment motion, seeking discussion on “a definite matter of urgent importance”.
Tagore wrote in the motion addressed to the Lok Sabha Secretary General, “I rise to move an adjournment motion on an issue that has plunged our democracy into an unprecedented crisis. India’s electoral rolls, which are the backbone of free and fair elections, are plagued with discrepancies, human errors and serious weaknesses. Instead of strengthening this foundation, the Election Commission has launched the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) as a hasty, unplanned and autocratic operation which A nationwide crisis has arisen.”
Congress MP K.C. Venugopal also presented a proposal saying that S.I.R. A serious crisis has arisen due to the arbitrariness and poor planning of the government.
Venugopal said in the adjournment motion, “The arbitrary and poorly implemented Special Intensive Vetting Drive by the Election Commission has created a serious crisis. The process has put unbearable pressure on the Commission on Elections (BLoS), has resulted in several deaths and has created a state of panic and confusion among the citizens. Such uncoordinated and insensitive implementation undermines both public trust and the integrity of our democratic processes.”
Meanwhile, Kanyakumari MP Vijay Kumar alias Vijay Vasanth has moved an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha, calling the Election Commission’s special intensive vetting process a hasty and unplanned action, which has thrown India’s electoral system into crisis.
The notice issued by MP Kumar said, “The voter list is full of errors, teachers and BLOs are working under unbearable pressure and many people have even fainted or died, while the Election Commission has neither conducted any investigation nor taken any cognizance. The public is also suffering from confusion and repeated checks are increasing distrust. He warned that without a transparent and modern voter list system, confidence in the elections will further weaken.”
He has also demanded immediate suspension of the SIR.
Opposition MPs are expected to continue their protest against the SIR on the second day of the winter session of Parliament. On the first day, the proceedings had to be adjourned repeatedly due to sloganeering and protests by opposition members.
India Alliance MPs will protest outside the Makar Gate of Parliament at 10:30 am before the commencement of the proceedings.