Kapil Sibal Critiques Election Commission's Role Amid Bihar Electoral Roll Revision
Sibal's Strong Allegations Against the Election Commission
New Delhi: Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal has accused the Election Commission of being a mere 'puppet' under the Modi administration, asserting that the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar is an 'unconstitutional' tactic designed to maintain the dominance of majoritarian governments.
In a recent interview, Sibal claimed that each election commissioner has increasingly aligned themselves with the current government, undermining the commission's integrity.
Criticizing the SIR process, the former law minister stated that the Election Commission lacks the authority to address citizenship matters.
The Election Commission has defended the revision, stating that it aims to update the voters' list by removing ineligible entries and adding those legally entitled to vote.
When questioned about the opposition's criticism of the EC regarding the SIR, Sibal remarked, 'It has long been a puppet of the government since this administration took office.'
He further expressed that the conduct of the Election Commission has been disappointing.
Sibal emphasized, 'Each election commissioner seems to outdo the last in their alignment with this government.'
Regarding the SIR, he stated, 'This process is entirely unconstitutional, as the Commission does not have the jurisdiction to address citizenship issues at the block level.'
He accused the ruling party of employing all possible strategies to secure electoral victories, suggesting that the SIR is a means to ensure the continued success of majoritarian parties.
Sibal warned that by removing the names of marginalized groups, the ruling party could guarantee its electoral success, which he finds deeply concerning.
He has consistently expressed skepticism about the Election Commission's independence, arguing that it has failed to uphold the expected standards of impartiality.
On the Supreme Court's interim order, Sibal refrained from commenting, noting his role as counsel in the case.
He expressed hope that the court's directives would be heeded by the Election Commission to avoid further controversy.
With the Monsoon session of Parliament approaching, Sibal highlighted the significance of the SIR issue, suggesting it is more critical than many other current discussions.
He also pointed out the importance of the Maharashtra situation, questioning how there was a sudden increase in voters in constituencies where the BJP emerged victorious.
Sibal's comments follow a Supreme Court directive for the Election Commission to accept Aadhaar, Voter ID, and ration cards as valid documents during the SIR in Bihar, which is preparing for elections later this year.
The Supreme Court characterized the SIR as a 'constitutional mandate,' allowing the Election Commission to proceed with the revision for over 7 crore voters.
The court emphasized the importance of the right to vote in a democracy, stating, 'We cannot prevent a constitutional body from fulfilling its responsibilities, but we will not allow it to overstep its bounds.'
The bench identified three key issues in the case: the Election Commission's authority to conduct the revision, the procedures involved, and the timing of the electoral roll preparation, which is notably short given the upcoming elections in November 2025.
The court has scheduled hearings for over ten petitions challenging the SIR on July 28.
The Election Commission has been instructed to submit its response within a week, followed by a week for petitioners to file their rejoinders.
The bench acknowledged the Election Commission's statement that the list of documents for the SIR is not exhaustive.
It suggested that the Commission consider additional documents, including Aadhaar cards, voter ID cards, and ration cards, while also allowing the Commission discretion in their evaluation.