- विज्ञापन -
New Delhi: Congress leader Pawan Khera on Wednesday questioned the independence of the Election Commission amid revision of electoral rolls in Bihar, accusing it of acting in favour of the ruling party.
This comes amid the ongoing row over the electoral roll revision in Bihar and the Opposition-led Bihar Bandh..
Taking to the social media platform X, Khera wrote, “Baba Saheb Ambedkar on the role of ‘Central Election Commission’ in protecting every Indian’s Right to Vote.”
To support his argument, Khera, in a post on his X handle, quoted Baba Saheb Ambedkar: “Franchise is the most fundamental thing in democracy…..To prevent injustice to those racially, linguistically, or culturally different from the dominant people in Province, the election machinery must be under a Central Election Commission….so that no injustice may be done to any citizen in India.”
Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting every Indian’s right to vote by highlighting Article 326 of the Constitution, which guarantees universal adult suffrage. This move comes amid tensions over the ongoing Bihar Bandh and debates surrounding revisions to the voter list.
Article 326 ensures that every Indian citizen above 18 years of age can vote unless disqualified due to non-residence, unsoundness of mind, crime, or corrupt practices. This provision underscores India’s commitment to broader democratic participation and was instrumental in lowering the voting age from 21 to 18 years in 1989.
The ECI has emphasised its dedication to upholding constitutional principles by adhering to Article 326 and Section 16 of the Representation of People Act, 1950. The commission has stated that it will “scrupulously” follow these provisions during the revision of electoral rolls, ensuring that no eligible citizen is disenfranchised.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has posted an image on its ‘X’ account highlighting Article 326 of the Constitution of India, which mandates universal adult suffrage, ensuring every Indian citizen above 18 years of age can vote unless disqualified.
“Article 326 – Elections to the House of the People and to the Legislative Assemblies of States to be on the basis of adult suffrage. The elections to the House of the People and the Legislative Assembly of every State shall be on the basis of adult suffrage, that is to say, every person who is a citizen of India and who is not less than eighteen years of age on such date as may be fixed in that behalf by or under any law made by the appropriate Legislature and is not otherwise disqualified under this Constitution or any law made by the appropriate Legislature on the ground of non-residence, unsoundness of mind, crime or corrupt or illegal practice, shall be entitled to be registered as a voter at any such election,” posted by ECI on X.
