Uttam fires at the Election Commission: "Voting is not the property of the ruling party... it is a constitutional right."

Hyderabad: Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy responded strongly to issues raised regarding the voter lists and the independence of the Election Commission. He stated that if there is suspicion about the referee, it poses a danger to democracy. Emphasizing that the independence of the Election Commission is the foundation for the protection of democracy, he mentioned that it is the responsibility of the Central Election Commission to maintain public trust in the electoral system. Uttam Kumar Reddy demanded an explanation for why the Chief Justice of India was removed from the selection process of election commissioners.

He referred to allegations that the BJP secured a majority by including a central minister suggested by the Prime Minister in the committee. He commented that the Election Commission is not the BJP's office and that the voter list is not the property of the central government. He asserted that the voting right is not the property of the ruling party but a constitutional right of every Indian.

Uttam Kumar Reddy sought clarity on the exclusion of 97 eligible names from the final voter list in Goa. He stated that even though the legal authority confirmed eligibility, if software issues obstruct voting rights, the Election Commission should reveal who is responsible to the people of the country. He called for transparency regarding the removal of over 13 crore names across 30 states and union territories, and mentioned that the appeal for the restoration of 22.21 lakh names in West Bengal should also be considered. Uttam Kumar Reddy emphasized the need to ensure the rights of every eligible voter before polling rather than restoring voting rights after the elections.

He demanded that the Election Commission respond to the objections raised by commissioners Sandhu and Joshi. Along with the Goa incident, he called for an impartial inquiry into the technical system of voter lists and demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, who has lost the trust of the people. He stated that the Congress, under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, will continue to fight for the protection of the Constitution, democracy, and voting rights.