With bypolls in Budhni and Vijaypur looming on the horizon, the Congress in Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday raised concerns over the conduct of free and fair elections and questioned the impartiality of the Election Commission.

Holding discussions with mediapersons at the state Congress headquarters in Bhopal, Deputy Leader of Opposition in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly, Hemant Katare, said he would soon bring his concerns to the notice of the Election Commission.Katare pointed out that in the imminent by-election for the Vijaypur Assembly, Uday Singh Sikarwar, currently serving as SDM, has been appointed as the Returning Officer. He recalled that during the by-election in Ater in 2017, when he was the official candidate for the Congress party, he had complained against Sikarwar.Back then, Katare had claimed that the official was acting as a BJP affiliate despite his position as a government employee. <

The Election Commission investigated the complaint and subsequently transferred Sikarwar out of Ater.He noted that in 2018, during the by-election in Mungawali, Sikarwar was again appointed as SDM, and when the election code of conduct came into effect, he was made the Returning Officer.

Katare questioned the logic of appointing someone with a questionable record to such an important role. He mentioned that Sikarwar had faced complaints in January 2018 and was removed but has since been reinstated as Returning Officer for the Vijaypur by-election.

Katare argued that if the same individual is repeatedly appointed as Returning Officer, it naturally raises questions about the election process. He questioned why the Election Commission would appoint Sikarwar again despite knowing of the multiple complaints against him.

The Congress leader said he has written to the Chief Electoral Officer, demanding legal action against Sikarwar for violations of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and for obstructing a free and fair election process.He summed up by stating that Sikarwar, previously removed from the position for being politically influenced, should be replaced by an honest official to ensure fair elections in the Vijaypur constituency.