Chandigarh/New Delhi, 9 December: Chandigarh MP and former Union Minister Manish Tewari raised serious concerns in the Lok Sabha today over the impartiality of the Election Commission and the legality of the ongoing Special Incentive Revision (SIR) process.
He said that India’s democracy rests on 98 crore voters and political parties, with the Election Commission meant to function as an impartial umpire between them. Recalling the historic reform under former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi—granting voting rights to citizens aged 18 and above—Tewari noted that today serious questions are being raised about the Commission’s neutrality.
Tewari demanded amendments to the 2023 law governing the appointment of the Election Commission. He said the Selection Committee must consist of two members from the government, two from the opposition, and the Chief Justice of India to ensure true neutrality. He emphasized that the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and the CJI must be part of this Committee.
On SIR, he pointed out that while the issue is being debated nationwide, the Election Commission has no legal authority to conduct SIR across entire states. Under Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, the Commission may revise the rolls only for one assembly constituency at a time, not for entire states.
This means that a widespread SIR has no legal basis. The Commission can only correct entries in specific constituencies where errors are found. Large-scale SIR exercises in states like Bihar, Kerala or West Bengal do not align with the law. If SIR is required, the government must specify the deficiencies found in particular areas and place them before Parliament. The matter should also be examined by the courts.
On EVMs, Tewari said democracy runs on trust. Voters stand for hours in heat, rain or cold, and must be confident that their vote is counted correctly. Many citizens fear EVM tampering. When public trust is shaken, democracy suffers.
He reiterated that he had earlier asked the government who holds the EVM source code—the manufacturing company or the Election Commission—but never received a reply. He again demanded clarity on who controls the source code and the motherboard program.
Tewari strongly urged that elections be conducted once again using ballot papers, as public confidence in EVMs has eroded. Alternatively, 100% counting of VVPAT slips must be ensured, even if it takes 2–3 days, to restore voter trust. Several countries have reverted to paper ballots. If genuine reforms are introduced, the truth will reveal itself naturally.
