Manish Tewari questions Election Commission

Congress MP Manish Tewari initiated a discussion in the India — Lok Sabha on election reforms, primarily challenging the legal authority of the India — Election Commission of India to conduct the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. He argued that there is no constitutional or legal provision for a nationwide SIR and that the India — Election Commission of India should only conduct revisions in specific constituencies with documented errors. Tewari also questioned the neutrality of the India — Election Commission of India and proposed amending the 2023 law for selecting the chief election commissioner and election commissioners. His suggestions include adding the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and the India — Chief Justice of India to the selection panel, mandating 100% counting of VVPAT slips or reverting to paper ballots, and disallowing direct cash transfers before elections. He referenced B. R. Ambedkar's vision for a neutral India — Election Commission of India and Rajiv Gandhi's past electoral reforms.