States » NorthPosted at: Sep 25 2026 9:02PM


PUCL demands removal proceedings against CEC; calls upon people & Oppn to raise voice & defend electoral democracy

Jaipur, Sep 25 (UNI) The People's union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) today joined in the demand of the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar amid raging row over objections raised by two Election Commissioners against the poll panel's decisions.
PUCL also called upon all opposition parties and people’s movements to raise their voice and strengthen this demand and work towards defending the integrity of India’s electoral democracy.
The NGO stated in a statement that two of the Election Commission’s three members say they were bypassed at least 14 times in 10 months on the biggest overhaul of voter lists (SIR) in India’s history.
"Meanwhile, over 13 crore names have been deleted through the SIR. The deletions fall hardest on migrant workers, women, transgender citizens, and Dalit and Adivasi households", the statement read.
PUCL argued this is not a technical exercise but an assault on universal adult franchise, and that the ECI’s integrity has collapsed.
In this situation, PUCL has demanded to initiate removal proceedings against CEC Gyanesh Kumar and suspension of all further SIR phases and restore the pre-SIR rolls as the operative rolls, wherever SIR has been conducted.
Make public every objection recorded by Election Commissioners Dr Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, and every order and decision on the SIR, along with minutes, with the record of who took part in each decision.
The PUCL also demanded for constitution of a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) to account for every SIR decision taken without the consent of the dissenting Commissioners, with power to summon records.
Restore the Form 6, and withdraw amendments and all other procedural changes made without amending the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960
Restore all names deleted in the SIR. Any deletion from electoral rolls must abide by the Section 21A of the RER, with the burden of proof on the authority.
This must also render all government orders or circulars connecting deletions to ration entitlements and welfare schemes irrelevant.
An independent audit of every alteration made to the database during the SIR, showing who authorised and who executed each change, must be ordered, PUCL said.
The Supreme Court should re-examine the SIR’s validity and the independence and integrity with which the ECI has functioned in light of this new material. The Court must also acknowledge the impact of the SIR on the recent state elections and direct that they must be declared void.
All efforts to witch-hunt, intimidate and harass people on allegations of being non citizens based on SIR deletions, as it is happening in West Bengal must be stopped.
UNI SKS SS
Tags: #PUCL demands removal proceedings against CEC; calls upon people & Oppn to raise voice & defend electoral democracy
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