Sirsa MP, former Union Minister, AICC general secretary and Congress Working Committee member Kumari Selja has said that the supremacy of the Constitution, independence of constitutional institutions and protection of every citizen’s right to vote are essential for strengthening democracy.
She said the Congress and the INDIA alliance had consistently raised concerns over these issues. Serious questions arising within a democratic system, she added, should be addressed through dialogue, transparency and constitutional procedures.
Selja said Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders had raised issues relating to the fairness of the electoral process and voters’ rights, both on the streets and in Parliament. She alleged that the concerns expressed by the Opposition were not receiving the seriousness they deserved.
She said both the ruling party and the Opposition had a responsibility to preserve public confidence in constitutional institutions.
Calls for Transparent Answers on Election Commission
Selja said allegations and questions concerning the functioning of the Election Commission should receive factual and transparent responses. Any doubt about the independence and impartiality of a constitutional body such as the Election Commission, she said, was a matter of concern for the democratic system.
She said the Congress had demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. If serious questions relating to accountability were not resolved satisfactorily, she said, a proposal for his removal should be considered in accordance with the procedure laid down in the Constitution.
She also called for facts to be placed before the public and for an open dialogue on constitutional accountability.
Independence Must Go Along with Accountability
Selja said the Congress believed that preserving the dignity of any constitutional institution required both independence and accountability. The government, she said, should treat the concerns raised by the Opposition as part of democratic debate rather than as political confrontation.
She emphasised that constitutional institutions must function in a manner that sustains public trust and confidence.
‘Save Vote, Save Country’ Campaign
Referring to the ‘Save Vote, Save Country’ campaign, Selja said its objective was to protect voting rights, promote transparency in the electoral process and increase public awareness about the Constitution.
She said strengthening democracy was a shared responsibility of all political parties, institutions and citizens.
Selja stressed that safeguarding the democratic framework required respect for constitutional values, fair electoral practices and accountability from institutions entrusted with protecting the rights of citizens.
RELATED: ELECTION COMMISSION
RELATED: CONGRESS PARTY
MORE HARYANA NEWS
NEWS NOTE
This report is based on the statement issued by Kumari Selja. The views and allegations concerning the Election Commission and electoral processes are attributed to her and the Congress party. They are presented as political statements and have not been independently established by this report.
