Poll irregularities: Punjab Assembly resolution demands probe

The Punjab Assembly on Friday unanimously passed an official resolution seeking an independent inquiry into alleged electoral irregularities and the functioning of the Election Commission under Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Taking part in the discussion on the resolution on Day 2 of the Assembly session, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann lashed out at the BJP over alleged vote ‘loot’, terming it dangerous for democracy, and demanded the scrapping of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Mann claimed that names of 14 crore voters had been deleted from the electoral rolls nationwide under the garb of SIR, accusing the BJP of manipulating electoral rolls in the name of the Election Commission by adding voters in its favour and deleting those of the opposition. He also claimed that elections in Bihar, West Bengal, Haryana and Maharashtra had been won through “vote chori”.

The six-day special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha began on Thursday and would continue till October 27.

Earlier, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema tabled the resolution in the House.

When it was passed by voice vote, the legislators of the Congress, Akali Dal and the BJP were not present in the House. However, two rebel Akali MLAs, a BSP legislator and an Independent MLA were present.

The Assembly expressed concern over claims that citizens were being deprived of their right to vote, and demanded protection of the voting rights of all eligible citizens.

“This House firmly reiterates that every eligible citizen’s vote is precious in a democracy. Illegally depriving any citizen of the right to vote goes against the fundamental values of constitutional democracy,” the resolution said.

Protecting the voting rights of people and ensuring the accountability of electoral institutions are imperative for safeguarding the country’s democracy, it added.

“This House demands establishment of an independent, impartial and credible investigative mechanism to inquire into alleged irregularities concerning the electoral process and voter lists under Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, so that the truth can come to light and accountability can be fixed,” the resolution said.

If concrete evidence of criminal violations emerges against any person during the investigation, criminal proceedings should be initiated against them as per the law, it added.

“Babasaheb Ambedkar gave every citizen of India an equal right to vote through the Constitution, but Gyanesh Kumar, while tearing apart the Constitution, has worked to deprive this right from the citizens of India,” the resolution said.

Mann alleged that the country has reached a point where the BJP Government, which was once chosen by the people, is now deciding who could vote, warning that “dictatorship” had taken control of all four pillars of democracy.

“Whenever any opposition party raises questions over the functioning of EVMs, the BJP comes out in support of the system. Now they are supporting CEC Gyanesh Kumar. It means they know that Gyanesh Kumar helped them win (elections). This is dangerous for democracy,” Mann said.

He also urged citizens to protect the Constitution, nurture democratic values and speak up whenever the rights of the people are threatened.

“Punjab has taken the lead by passing a resolution against electoral irregularities. Every eligible citizen must be able to exercise the right to vote without fear of arbitrary exclusion.

“The right to vote is not a favour bestowed by any Government. It is the foundation for democratic participation, and no eligible citizen should face unnecessary hardships or arbitrary exclusion while establishing their eligibility,” Mann said.

While tabling the resolution, Cheema accused the BJP of snatching voting rights from the poor. He also referred to the Delhi elections held last year, alleging that the BJP came to power in the capital through “vote chori”.

Cheema also said the electoral roll revision exercise raised serious questions about the integrity of the electoral process in different parts of the country.

“Public confidence in democratic institutions can be maintained only by ensuring that no eligible voter is excluded and every citizen’s voting right remains protected,” Chhema said.

Akali Dal Waris Punjab De leader Manpreet Singh Ayali supported the resolution and said the SIR exercise is mired in controversy.

He also alleged that whatever votes are being deleted, they are being done to benefit the BJP, and demanded an independent probe into the exercise.

Demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, Ayali also accused the Election Commission of not registering the Waris Punjab De and not issuing an election symbol to it.

AAP MLA Inderjit Kaur Mann demanded that voting be held through ballot papers only.