Kharge lays out INDIA bloc’s election demands

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge urged the INDIA bloc to advocate using electoral rolls from before the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in future elections, emphasizing the need for transparency in the revision process. He also backed a return to ballot-paper voting, urging opposition parties to leave their meeting with a joint programme of action.

Kharge stressed that the bloc would oppose any move weakening transparency in the electoral process and called for constituency-wise and booth-wise disclosure of changes during every revision. He advocated for voters to receive prior notice of proposed deletions, reasons for deletions, and an effective appeal mechanism, as well as safeguards against ineligible voters being excluded.

The opposition parties should demand an Election Commission with confidence across the political spectrum, Kharge said, leaving the meeting with a clear programme of action. The meeting took place amid controversy over the Election Commission's handling of the nationwide SIR of electoral rolls.