Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday hailed the "unanimous" clarification issued by the Election Commission amid row over alleged dissent with the poll body.
The TDP chief said the collective statement issue by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, with election commissioners Sukhbir Sing Sandhu and Vivek Joshi by his side, reaffirmed the integrity and credibility of our constitutional institutions.
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The Election Commission on Saturday reasserted that key decisions, including the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls, were taken unanimously by the full commission.
The clarification came after an investigative report from The Indian Express newspaper stated that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi recorded objections to decisions taken in the commission’s name at least 14 times over 10 months.
The report led to protests by opposition parties, particularly Congress, seeking the resignation of the chief election commissioner.
Chandrababu Naidu hails EC statement
The BJP ally said the EC's clarification “put to rest all the misconceptions” surrounding the commission. He hit out at alleged “attempts to undermine confidence” in the country's democratic framework and electoral processes for “short-term political gains”. He called such attempts "deeply unfortunate” and urged respect for constitutional institutions.
{{/usCountry}}The BJP ally said the EC's clarification “put to rest all the misconceptions” surrounding the commission. He hit out at alleged “attempts to undermine confidence” in the country's democratic framework and electoral processes for “short-term political gains”. He called such attempts "deeply unfortunate” and urged respect for constitutional institutions.
{{/usCountry}}Naidu further said, “It is the collective responsibility of leaders across party lines to uphold public confidence in India’s democratic process.”
BJP allies call for clarification
The EC statement came amid calls for clarification from NDA constituents, including Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan and Rashtriya Lok Morcha president Upendra Kushwaha.
Speaking to reporters in Patna and Delhi , the LJP(RV) leader stressed that the poll panel was an independent constitutional body and the responsibility to allay public doubts rested primarily with the CEC.
“If questions are being raised on the Election Commission’s conduct… the responsibility lies with the CEC to present his stance clearly. It is problematic if people begin to doubt the electoral process itself. The EC needs to present its stance, not to Rahul Gandhi, but to the public,” he said.
The TDP had also urged a response from the poll body amid the raging controversy. TDP leader Lavu Srikrishna Devarayalu on Friday said while the SIR was being conducted “in a transparent manner”, but said the ECI was a “Constitutional institution entrusted with a crucial responsibility”.
“Therefore, whenever questions are raised by anyone, providing appropriate clarification and maintaining transparency will only help strengthen public confidence in the institution,” TDP's Lok Sabha floor leader Lavu Srikrishna Devarayalu told The Indian Express.