Kumari Selja Demands Accountability of Chief Election Commissioner, Calls for Transparency
Congress leader says impartiality of Election Commission is vital to protect democracy and voting rights
Selja Seeks Accountability of Chief Election Commissioner :
Chandigarh: Sirsa MP and Congress leader Kumari Selja has called for greater transparency and accountability in the functioning of the Election Commission, asserting that its independence and impartiality are essential to safeguarding democracy, the Constitution and citizens’ voting rights.
Selja, a former Union Minister, AICC general secretary and Congress Working Committee member, said the Congress and the INDIA alliance had consistently raised concerns over electoral fairness and voters’ rights. She said such concerns must be addressed through transparent dialogue and constitutional procedures.
Referring to issues raised by Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Selja alleged that the concerns of the Opposition were not being given due consideration. She said both the ruling party and the Opposition had a responsibility to uphold public confidence in constitutional institutions.
She said questions about the Election Commission’s functioning must be answered with facts and transparency, adding that any doubts over its independence and impartiality were a matter of concern for democracy.
Selja said the Congress had demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. If questions relating to accountability remained unresolved, she said, a proposal for his removal should be considered in accordance with the constitutional procedure.
Emphasising that institutional independence must go hand in hand with accountability, she urged the government to treat the Opposition’s concerns as part of democratic debate rather than political confrontation.
She said the Congress’s ‘Vote Bachao–Desh Bachao’ campaign aimed to protect voting rights, promote transparency in elections and raise public awareness about the Constitution. Strengthening democracy, she added, was the shared responsibility of political parties, constitutional institutions and citizens.
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