NEW DELHI: Opposition MPs of the INDIA bloc on Tuesday marched from Parliament towards the Election Commission headquarters, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls.
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi was among the leaders participating in the march, which was held amid heightened security and extensive barricading around Parliament and the Election Commission office.
The protest came a day after the Supreme Court clarified that it had not approved any modified version of Form 6, the statutory form used for enrolment of voters. The court said it would examine Election Commission records to determine whether changes were made to the form and, if so, who authorised them.
Opposition leaders have cited the court’s observations while stepping up their demand for Kumar’s resignation. The INDIA bloc has also raised concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and alleged unilateral decision-making within the poll panel.
The Election Commission, however, has rejected allegations of a split within the three-member body and maintained that decisions concerning the SIR were taken unanimously. The poll panel has also disputed opposition claims regarding the Form 6 issue, saying its September 26 clarification distinguished between the SIR period and the period outside it.
The Supreme Court has issued notice to the Centre and the Election Commission on a petition challenging the functioning of the CEC and has sought records concerning the disputed Form 6 changes.
