NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday slammed chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar after the Supreme Court said that it did not approve any modification made by the Election Commission in Form 6.In a social media post on X, the Congress leader accused the CEC of changing the application citizens use to register as new electors “illegally and unilaterally”.“It is now established beyond doubt that Gyanesh Kumar changed Form 6 illegally and unilaterally. This is just one more proof of him abusing his position to help the BJP,” Rahul said.“He and everyone else involved in this criminal assault on our democracy will be held accountable,” he added.The Congress leader also shared the screenshot of the September 26 Election Commission statement which read — “The declaration attached to Form 6 for SIR has been upheld by the Hon’ble Supreme Court. For non-SIR period, the Forms applicable as per Rules (the Registration of Electors Rules 1960) will be used.”
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His remarks came after the Supreme Court issued notices to the Election Commission and the Centre on pleas alleging that the poll body took several decisions without the approval of the two election commissioners and said it will annul decisions found not to be in accordance with law.The top court, however, refused to pass any interim direction to restrain Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar from taking any decision till the final disposal of the petition.A bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana said that it may examine the immunity clause put in the law which gives protection to the CEC even after holding the office.“We will examine all the decisions. If any decision is not in accordance with the law, we will annul it. You know the power of the court,” the bench said as it pointed out that the immunity granted to the CEC is something which even judges don’t have.
