Kharge Calls for CEC Resignation, Halting SIR, and a Return to Paper Ballots – Congress Issues Firm Ultimatum

New Delhi. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has intensified his criticism of the Election Commission, laying out three absolute conditions that the party says must be satisfied before it can endorse the forthcoming electoral process.

Three‑Point Ultimatum from the Congress

Kharge declared that the party demands the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, an immediate suspension of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, and a re‑introduction of traditional paper ballots for all future polls, discarding electronic voting machines. In a social‑media statement on Monday, he noted that Congress cadres and allies within the INDIA coalition were staging demonstrations nationwide to press these points.

The leader also pledged solidarity with civil‑society movements and youth groups campaigning for greater transparency and accountability in the voting system.

Controversy Over the SIR Roll Revision

The declaration comes amid a widening dispute over the Election Commission’s handling of the SIR exercise. Congress has repeatedly questioned the legality of the roll‑revision, asserting that it could be manipulated to the party’s disadvantage.

Media reports indicate that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi have raised objections on multiple occasions, claiming that certain SIR orders were issued without their prior knowledge or recommendation. The Commission, however, argues that dissent is normal in any large institution and that its actions are grounded in law and established statutory procedures.

Wider Opposition Demands

Kharge linked the call for the CEC’s resignation to the broader opposition to the SIR and the demand for a return to paper‑ballot voting. He also accused the ruling BJP of targeting female journalists in Delhi, describing the alleged harassment as condemnable and suggesting that the government is attempting to divert attention from the larger electoral controversy.

The Congress reaffirmed its commitment to stand alongside organisations raising concerns about electoral transparency, while the Election Commission defended the legality of its actions. As debates over roll revision and voting technology continue, the issue is poised to remain a central flashpoint in the run‑up to the next elections.