Kumaraswamy urges EC to clarify reports of differences among top officials

Bengaluru, Sep 26 (PTI) JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy on Saturday urged the EC to clarify the reports of differences among its three top officials and place the facts before the public to protect the institution’s credibility.

The Union Minister said the Election Commission of India was a responsible constitutional institution that had played an important role in sustaining democracy in the country over the past 78 years.

He was responding to a question about the Congress protests, alleging that Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar had unilaterally made several decisions despite objections from the other two Election Commissioners, citing media reports.

They also claimed the exercise resulted in the deletion of a large number of voters' names.

JD(S), led by former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda is part of the NDA.

Speaking to reporters, Kumaraswamy said, “There are reports in the media about differences among the three – the CEC and two Commissioners. Congress leaders are treating this as a major crime and holding protests across the country. I don't want to discuss what the Congress leaders had done while in power."

However, the Election Commission should explain what has happened, he said.

“My appeal to the Election Commission is this: What is the reason for these differences? What is the truth behind the developments? They should tell the people of the country what the facts are,” he said.

Kumaraswamy said the issue was not about giving importance to protests held by political parties, or what someone had said, but about understanding why such an atmosphere has arisen among the three Commission members.

“The Election Commission should place the facts before the people and protect the dignity of the institution,” he said.

The controversy erupted following an Indian Express investigation which reported that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had objected on record at least 14 times over the last 10 months to decisions and orders they said were issued without their knowledge.

According to the report, the objections included changes to statutory voter registration Form 6 and the centralisation of control over the electoral roll database.

The Election Commission, however, has maintained that its official orders, decisions and administrative directions have full legal sanction, and that differing views and observations are a normal part of deliberations within an institution.