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IAS Association slams trolling of CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s family over 'vote chori' claims
The IAS Association condemned the online trolling of Chief Election Commissioner's family, following allegations of vote theft by opposition leaders.
The Indian Administrative Service (IAS) Association on Friday condemned the online trolling of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar’s family, after opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, levelled allegations of “vote chori” or “vote theft” against the poll panel.
“The IAS Association notes with concern that unwarranted criticism has been directed against the family members of the Chief Election Commissioner, who also happen to be well reputed civil servants,” the association said in a post on X.
“The IAS Association strongly deprecates such personal attacks unconnected with the discharge of official duties. We stand for the dignity and integrity in public service,” it added.
CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s family, particularly his daughters, has been targeted on social media platforms in recent days. Kumar, a 1988-batch IAS officer from the Kerala cadre, retired as secretary in the ministry of cooperation in January 2024 before being appointed election commissioner in March. He assumed charge as CEC in February this year.
A political controversy row erupted after leader of of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi alleged irregularities in the Bihar Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise and in a constituency in Karnataka during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The Congress MP claimed the Election Commission was engaged in “vote theft” to benefit the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Several opposition parties have backed his charge, though both the poll panel and Kumar have denied any wrongdoing.
At a press conference on Sunday, Kumar hit back, saying Gandhi should either submit an affidavit to prove his allegations or apologise.
"An affidavit will have to be given or an apology should be made to the country. Teesra koi vikalp nahi (There is no third option.) If the affidavit is not received within seven days, it means that all these allegations are baseless." Gyanesh Kumar said at a press briefing.
Jairam Ramesh accuses Election Commission of not responding to 'vote chori'
On Friday, Jairam Ramesh launched a sharp attack on the Election Commission of India (ECI), alleging large-scale voter suppression and accusing the poll body of acting under pressure from the central government.
"When, on July 21, the Chairman gave a ruling, why did they ask for the resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar? What message did they want to send?... When democracy is being murdered, the Election Commission of India is not giving any answer on the vote chori" and the Chief Election Commissioner is threatening the Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi, the votes of 65 lakh people are being snatched," news agency ANI quoted Jairam Ramesh as saying.
The Congress leader questioned the relevance of parliamentary proceedings under such circumstances, saying, “When there is no democracy or a constitution in the nation, what is the point of zero hour, question hour?”
The senior Congress leader accused the government of deliberately deleting voter names in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, targeting Dalits and OBCs.
