Kapil Sibal Escalates Critique of Election Commission, Alleges Subversion of Democracy
New Delhi: Rajya Sabha member and senior advocate Kapil Sibal has launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission of India (ECI), accusing the poll body of participating in the “subversion of democracy.” Amid growing controversy over alleged discrepancies in voter rolls and the centralisation of data, Sibal argued that if the ECI believes accusations of electoral malpractice are baseless, it must pursue legal action for defamation.
Speaking in an interview, Sibal contended that the recent reports highlighting internal dissent within the ECI—specifically claims that commissioners had raised objections to the functioning of the Gyanesh Kumar-led panel—demand a transparent response. He pointed out that the ECI’s official press notes have failed to directly address the core concerns raised by the Opposition, suggesting that the lack of signatures from the commissioners on these statements further undermines their credibility.
Allegations of Data Centralisation and ‘Treason’
The veteran lawyer expressed deep concern over what he termed the “centralisation of data,” questioning the integrity of the updated voter enrolment processes. He specifically referenced the ‘Special Intensive Revision’ (SIR) exercise, which has faced scrutiny across various states.
Sibal cited the situation in West Bengal, claiming that nearly 91-94% of voter deletions handled by tribunals in the state were found to be wrongful. He argued that these are not mere administrative lapses but systemic issues. “If decisions are taken centrally by the EC to delete voters, and that leads to the mass disenfranchisement of citizens, it amounts to treason,” Sibal asserted. He further suggested that the denial of access to the ‘ECINET’ portal for local electoral registration officers indicates that software control is being leveraged from Delhi to influence voter rolls.
EC Clarification and Political Fallout
While the Election Commission issued a point-by-point rebuttal following Sibal’s initial remarks—asserting that the vast majority of disputed exclusions in states like Goa had been rectified and that officials operate with role-based access—the political friction remains high. Congress leaders have dismissed the ECI’s clarification as a diversion that avoids addressing the fundamental technical and procedural complaints.
Sibal remains unimpressed by the poll body’s defensive stance. “Which accused ever admits that what is done is wrong?” he remarked, questioning the ECI’s impartiality. He maintained that the silence on whether senior officials should be held accountable is telling, noting that if the central government felt the ECI’s actions were improper, it should have initiated an inquiry or suspended the responsible parties.
Call for Judicial Intervention
Given the gravity of the situation, Sibal urged the Supreme Court to intervene by securing and auditing the relevant ECI files. He warned that the implications of these alleged irregularities extend beyond simple voting rights, impacting access to vital government welfare schemes, which he described as property rights linked to the electoral process.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has responded sharply to these accusations, accusing the Opposition of orchestrating a campaign to undermine a vital constitutional institution. With the debate showing no signs of cooling down, the focus remains on whether the Election Commission can restore public trust or if the allegations of “vote chori” (theft) will continue to dog the electoral process in the coming months.
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