Kharge Issues Triple Ultimatum: CEC Resignation, SIR Roll Freeze, and a Return to Paper Ballots

New Delhi. Mallikarjun Kharge, the president of the Indian National Congress, has intensified his criticism of the Election Commission by laying out three uncompromising demands that must be satisfied before the party can endorse the forthcoming elections.

Congress’s Three‑Point Ultimatum

Kharge declared that the party insists on the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, an immediate suspension of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, and a shift back to traditional paper‑ballot voting in place of electronic voting machines. In a social‑media statement on Monday, he highlighted that Congress cadres and allies within the INDIA coalition are organising protests nationwide to press these points.

The leader also pledged solidarity with civil‑society groups and youth organisations that are advocating for greater transparency and accountability in the voting mechanism.

Controversy Over the SIR Roll Revision

This pronouncement comes amid a widening debate over the Election Commission’s handling of the SIR exercise. The Congress has repeatedly questioned the legality of the roll‑revision drive, arguing that it could reshape the voter base to the party’s disadvantage.

Sources indicate that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi have raised objections on several occasions, alleging that certain SIR orders were issued without their knowledge or recommendation. The Commission, however, maintains that internal dissent is normal in any large institution and that its directives are grounded in law and established statutory procedures.

Wider Opposition Demands

Kharge linked the call for the CEC’s resignation with the party’s broader opposition to the SIR and its demand for a re‑introduction of paper‑ballot voting. He also accused the ruling BJP of targeting female journalists in Delhi, describing the alleged incident as reprehensible and suggesting that the government is attempting to distract from the larger electoral controversy.

The Congress reiterated its resolve to stand with organisations raising concerns about electoral transparency, while the Election Commission defended the legality of its actions. As the debate over roll revision and voting technology intensifies, the issue is poised to remain a focal point in the run‑up to the next elections.