The Congress Working Committee (CWC) met in New Delhi on September 29 amid the ongoing dispute over the Election Commission and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge chaired the meeting. Senior leaders, including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, attended the discussions.
The meeting focused on the party’s concerns about the Election Commission’s functioning. It also discussed the SIR process, voter-roll changes and the demand for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s removal.
The Congress had announced the meeting after raising concerns about reported differences within the Election Commission.
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Kharge demands removal of Gyanesh Kumar
Addressing the CWC, Kharge called for the immediate removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
He alleged that the Election Commission had compromised the independence of the electoral process. Kharge also accused Kumar of acting under pressure from the central government. These are allegations made by the Congress and remain disputed.
Kharge said the Congress would intensify its campaign against the CEC. He indicated that the party would raise the issue in Parliament and continue its protests outside the legislature.
The Congress had already organised protests in several states demanding Kumar’s resignation.
SIR remains at the centre of the dispute
The Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls remains a major issue for the Congress.
The party has raised questions about additions and deletions from voter lists. It has also criticised changes related to Form 6, which voters use for new enrolment.
Congress leaders have referred to objections reportedly raised by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi during discussions on SIR-related matters.
The Election Commission, however, has said that differing views are part of institutional deliberations. It has also maintained that its SIR orders received unanimous approval from all three commissioners.
Congress lists five demands
During the CWC discussions, Congress put forward several demands concerning electoral transparency.
One demand calls for the publication of all data related to changes in electoral rolls. The party also wants voters whose names were deleted to receive an opportunity to appeal.
Congress has further demanded that political parties receive electoral rolls in a simple format and within the required timeframe.
In addition, the party has sought an independent and time-bound investigation wherever authorities find serious anomalies. It has also called for greater transparency in the electoral process.
These demands form part of the party’s broader response to the SIR controversy.
Congress plans to intensify protests
The CWC meeting also discussed the party’s future course of action.
Congress leaders have indicated that the campaign against the CEC and the government will continue. The party has already held demonstrations in state capitals and other locations.
On September 26, Congress organised protests across several states. Party workers demanded Kumar’s resignation and raised concerns about the voter-roll revision process. Police detained several Congress leaders during some of those demonstrations.
The party has said that the protests will continue while it also raises the issue in Parliament.
Opposition parties also raise concerns
The Congress campaign comes as several opposition parties question the Election Commission’s handling of electoral-roll revisions.
Opposition leaders have raised concerns about voter deletions and the process used to verify electoral records. They have also referred to reports about disagreements among members of the Election Commission.
The issue has therefore expanded beyond the Congress and become part of a wider opposition campaign.
The INDIA bloc is also scheduled to meet on September 30. Leaders are expected to discuss a joint strategy on the Election Commission issue.
Election Commission maintains its position
The Election Commission has rejected suggestions that disagreements during internal discussions indicate a breakdown within the institution.
In its recent statement, the poll panel said that all SIR orders received unanimous approval from its three commissioners. It also said that changes to Form 6 had received judicial scrutiny and that the relevant procedures have legal backing.
The Commission has also announced measures to assist voters during the SIR process. These include additional time for filing claims, home visits by election officials and help desks for people who receive deletion notices.
Congress seeks greater transparency
Congress has linked its demand for Kumar’s removal to its broader call for transparency in elections.
The party says voters should have access to information about changes in electoral rolls. It also wants affected voters to receive adequate opportunities to challenge deletions.
The Congress has described the issue as important for the country’s electoral system. However, the allegations made by the party remain contested by the Election Commission and the government.
CWC meeting marks next phase of campaign
The September 29 CWC meeting marks a new stage in the Congress campaign against the Election Commission.
The party has decided to maintain pressure through Parliament, public demonstrations and coordination with other opposition parties. At the same time, the Election Commission continues to defend its SIR procedures and decision-making.
The immediate focus remains on Congress’s demand for Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and its calls for greater transparency in electoral-roll revisions.
With the INDIA bloc set to discuss the matter next, the dispute over the Election Commission and SIR is expected to remain a major political issue in the coming days.
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