CM focuses on public confidence in electoral systems
AGARTALA: Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha addressed concerns regarding electoral integrity while criticising opposition parties for attributing their electoral losses to malfunctioning Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and the Election Commission. He highlighted that reported dissent within the Election Commission involving the Chief Election Commissioner and two other commissioners should not be misconstrued as a lack of transparency and prevalence of irregularities in the constitutional body.
"Instead such differences indicate a healthy democratic process inviting necessary discussions," Chief Minister opined at a press conference at the BJP party office here Monday. His comments were aimed at focusing on public confidence in electoral systems amid claims he described as baseless propaganda.
Dr Saha asserted that the final decision regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list was based on consensus among all commissioners, concluding that this initiative aims to ensure an accurate electoral roll by removing ineligible voters, including deceased, transferred individuals and those without Indian citizenship. He referenced a previous court ruling which clarified that removal from the electoral roll does not equate to losing Indian citizenship reiterating that such actions are part of a necessary verification process and do not encroach upon rights of the people.
He critiqued the INDIA Alliance, suggesting their claims against the SIR process are politically motivated smears intended to undermine trust in democratic institutions. Citing the last Assembly elections in West Bengal, he pointed out discrepancies in voter cancellations and questioned how the same Election Commissioner who reported cancellations—predominantly in seats won by the Trinamool Congress—could simultaneously be criticised by the opposition.
Image: File.