D K Shivakumar Seeks CEC Gyanesh Kumar's Resignation and Fresh SIR in Karnataka
· India · Indian Express, The Hindu, Live Law
Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and called for a fresh Special Intensive Revision of the electoral rolls in the state. Following an investigation into internal conflict within the Election Commission of India, Shivakumar criticised unilateral decision-making and argued that the poll body's autonomy has been severely undermined. He raised concerns that the current revision drive using Forms 6, 7, and 8 threatens to disenfranchise illiterate and socio-economically disadvantaged sections of society. The Karnataka SIR exercise has categorised 1.08 crore out of 5.54 crore voters as Absent, Shifted, Dead, Duplicate, or Other. Shivakumar urged that Parliament debate the issue to protect every citizen's fundamental right to vote.
Why it matters
Millions of voters in Karnataka face potential disenfranchisement as the electoral roll revision categorises over a crore voters under absentee and duplicate statuses, directly impacting democratic participation.
Read the original report — Indian Express
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