Kaul Singh Thakur Demands CEC’s Resignation, Alleges Vote Manipulation.
Shimla:
Senior Congress leader and former minister Kaul Singh Thakur has accused the BJP-led Central Government of undermining democratic institutions and manipulating electoral processes. He demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and called for a thorough investigation into alleged irregularities in voter lists.
Addressing the media, Thakur alleged that the Narendra Modi government was using central agencies such as the CBI, Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax Department to intimidate political opponents. He also criticised the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, claiming that eligible voters were being deprived of their voting rights.
Thakur alleged that large numbers of names had been deleted from voter lists without adequate explanation and questioned the Election Commission’s handling of complaints regarding the revision process. He demanded that all eligible citizens aged 18 and above be included in electoral rolls, while deletions should be limited to deceased persons and those ineligible under the law.
He also questioned the legal protection granted to the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners against certain criminal proceedings, alleging that it could weaken accountability.
Condemning the alleged detention of protesters during demonstrations in Delhi, Thakur said citizens had a democratic right to oppose government policies. He demanded an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the alleged disenfranchisement of voters.
Thakur further advocated replacing Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) with ballot papers, arguing that electoral transparency was essential to restoring public confidence in democracy.
He urged authorities to investigate alleged voter-list irregularities and ensure that every eligible citizen could exercise their constitutional right to vote.
He was accompanied by former Chief Parliamentary Secretary Sohan Lal Thakur, District Congress Committee president Champa Thakur and other.
