Kakinada: BJP leaders criticise opposition over SIR of electoral rolls
Kakinada, Sept. 29 (TNT): BJP leaders in Kakinada district on Tuesday criticised opposition parties over their objections to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, accusing them of making baseless allegations against the Election Commission of India (ECI).
Addressing a press conference here, BJP district president Bikkina Visweswerarao and senior leaders Yenimireddi Malakondaiah and Duvuuri Subrahmanyam alleged that opposition parties were misleading the public despite being aware of the Election Commission’s constitutional powers and responsibilities.
They said Article 324 of the Constitution empowered the ECI to conduct elections impartially, while Section 21(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, provided for the revision of electoral rolls.
The BJP leaders said electoral rolls had been revised 13 times between 1952 and 2004-05, arguing that the current exercise was not unprecedented.
Responding to opposition claims that more than 13 crore voters had been removed from electoral rolls across the country, they said Booth Level Agents (BLAs) of political parties participated in the verification process alongside Booth Level Officers (BLOs). They questioned why opposition representatives had not raised objections during the exercise.
The leaders also questioned demands for the removal of the Chief Election Commissioner, stating that the procedure for removal was similar to that applicable to a Supreme Court judge under Article 124(4) of the Constitution.
They further questioned the opposition’s response to changes in Form 6, which they said had been placed before an all-party meeting by the Election Commission.
The BJP leaders maintained that the SIR exercise was part of the electoral roll revision process and accused opposition parties of attempting to mislead the public through their criticism.
TNT TMR
