New Delhi, Mar 12 (UNI) The Opposition members in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday yet again pressed for a discussion on alleged voters’ list discrepancy by suspending the scheduled business of the House.
As soon as the House met for the day, Deputy Chairman Harivansh said nine members have given notice for discussion under Rule 267.
He said Pramod Tiwari of Congress, Saket Gokhale, Dola Sen and Sushmita Deb of Trinamool Congress and Sanjay Singh of Aam Aadmi Party have asked for adjournment of the proceedings and discussion on the issue of duplication of voters list. However, the Deputy Chairman declined to entertain the notices citing previous ruling of the Chair
On this, Tiwari said in a democracy, just conducting elections is not enough. Fair elections are the soul of democracy but 48 lakh voters have been added by duplication of voter ID card, and the Election Commission should answer on this.
Trinamool Congress’ Derek O’Brien said the Chairman has given the ruling but there is a tradition in the House and the issue should also be discussed, preferably next week. He said the Electoral Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) with the same number have been issued to many voters across the country, which was a serious matter.
Later, during the Zero Hour, RJD’s Manoj Jha too raised the issue, calling it a very serious matter, and said the EC must take action about several people having the same EPIC numbers so as to restore faith in democracy.
Not only holding elections is a constitutional duty, but elections must also be fair, he said. O’Brien regretted that whenever doubt is raised on this serious issue, it is answered in a very vague manner.
