Kumari Selja Calls for Decisive Fight to Protect Voting Rights and the Constitution

Senior Congress leader and Sirsa MP Kumari Selja has called for a decisive political struggle to protect voting rights and constitutional principles, alleging that questions surrounding electoral transparency and the functioning of the Election Commission require clear answers.

Speaking to journalists in New Delhi on Monday, October 12, on the occasion of the Congress party’s proposed march, Selja said the vote of every citizen was a constitutional right and could not be treated as the property of any government. She asserted that the Congress would continue to oppose any attempt that, in its view, weakened democratic participation or undermined the voting rights of eligible citizens.

Selja, a former Union Cabinet minister, All India Congress Committee general secretary, Congress in-charge of Uttarakhand and member of the Congress Working Committee, said the party was mobilising its workers under the leadership of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi.

According to the programme announced by the party, the march was scheduled to begin at 1.30 pm on October 12 from the Barakhamba Road junction and proceed towards the Supreme Court in New Delhi. Selja described the proposed demonstration as a campaign concerning the rights of citizens across the country, rather than an issue limited to the Congress organisation.

Concerns Over Voter List Revision

Raising concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Selja alleged that the process could adversely affect the voting rights of economically weaker citizens, Dalits, backward communities and religious minorities if adequate safeguards and transparency were not ensured.

She said the Election Commission had a constitutional responsibility to ensure free, fair and transparent elections. Every eligible voter, she maintained, should be able to find their name on the electoral roll, and no citizen should be deprived of the right to vote.

The concerns raised by Selja form part of the Congress party’s broader criticism of electoral processes. Her remarks represent the party leader’s position on the issue; any specific allegation of wrongdoing would require examination on the basis of verifiable evidence and responses from the authorities concerned.

Congress Seeks Answers on Electoral Transparency

Selja said Rahul Gandhi had repeatedly raised questions about alleged irregularities in the electoral process and what the Congress describes as “vote theft”. She called for the questions raised by the party to be addressed transparently.

She also alleged that attempts were being made to suppress democratic dissent through police action and arrests. In a democracy, she said, citizens and political parties must be able to express disagreement and question those in power.

The Congress has presented the proposed march as part of its campaign to seek accountability and strengthen public confidence in electoral institutions. The Election Commission’s role in maintaining accurate electoral rolls and ensuring the integrity of elections remains central to the debate over voter registration and electoral transparency.

Constitutional Values at the Centre of the Campaign

Referring to the Constitution drafted under the chairmanship of Dr B. R. Ambedkar, Selja said the country should be governed by constitutional principles rather than the preferences of any individual government.

She said the Congress would continue its efforts to protect democratic institutions, electoral transparency and the voting rights of citizens. According to Selja, safeguarding the Constitution and democracy was a shared responsibility of every Indian.

She appealed to citizens to remain aware of their democratic rights and stand together in their defence. The party’s commitment, she said, was not to compromise on the protection of democracy or the people’s right to vote.

A Wider Debate on Electoral Confidence

The issue of voter list revision has wider implications because electoral rolls determine who is eligible to participate in elections. Ensuring that rolls are accurate while protecting the inclusion of every eligible voter is essential to public confidence in the electoral process.

Political parties may raise questions about procedures, exclusions or possible irregularities, but such concerns must be assessed through transparent processes, documented evidence and appropriate institutional scrutiny. Clear communication about revision procedures and accessible mechanisms for voters to verify their registration can help address confusion and strengthen trust.

Selja reiterated that the Congress would continue its campaign on these issues and urged citizens to remain vigilant about their constitutional rights. Her central message was that voting rights belong to the people and must be protected through transparent and accountable democratic institutions.