The Manipur unit of the INDIA bloc today launched its campaign against what it described as concerns over the functioning of the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
A joint press conference was held at Congress Bhawan, Imphal, attended by K. Meghachandra and Dr. Kh. Loken Singh of the Congress, Ksh. Shanta and Sarat Salam of the CPI(M), K. Manoranjan of the RSP, Kh. Gyaneshwar of the All India Forward Bloc, Th. Inaocha of the Trinamool Congress, T. Debananda of Shiv Sena, S. Iboyaima of the NCP and L. Shyam of Shiv Sena (UBT).
CPI(M) general secretary Ksh. Shanta said the INDIA bloc had resolved at its September 30 meeting at Constitution Club, New Delhi, to launch a nationwide “Save Democracy, Save Election, Save Nation” campaign from October 2 to 8. He said the Manipur campaign was being launched as part of the programme. The INDIA bloc has announced district-level demonstrations during the period and a march to the ECI in New Delhi on October 6.
Shanta criticised the 2023 law governing the appointment of the CEC and other Election Commissioners, alleging that it had weakened the independence of the poll body. He contrasted the present selection committee—comprising the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition and a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister—with the arrangement prescribed by the Supreme Court in March 2023, under which the committee comprised the Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition and Chief Justice of India. He alleged that the change gave the government greater influence over the appointment process and raised concerns about the independence of the Election Commission
