AICC Observer Umedaram Beniwal calls for protection of every eligible vote, questions Electoral Roll transparency
Ferozepur, October 28, 2026: The Congress on Wednesday reiterated its campaign to protect every eligible citizen’s right to vote, while raising questions over the transparency of electoral rolls, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise and the functioning of the Election Commission.
Addressing a press conference at the Congress Bhawan in Ferozepur, AICC observer and Barmer MP Umedaram Beniwal said the ‘Save Vote–Save Nation’ campaign, launched nationwide by Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, was aimed at safeguarding every eligible voter’s right and strengthening public confidence in the democratic and electoral system.
Beniwal said the campaign was also intended to create awareness among people about alleged irregularities in electoral rolls, the SIR exercise, Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and the functioning of the Election Commission.
He questioned the Central Government’s defence of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and asked why an independent inquiry into alleged irregularities in electoral rolls was not being allowed if the electoral process was completely transparent and impartial.
He alleged that the BJP was deriving political advantage from alleged irregularities in the electoral system. He said questions had been raised for a long time over the process of addition and deletion of names from electoral rolls, duplicate registrations, transparency of election-related data and the functioning of EVM and VVPAT systems. These issues, he said, should be addressed on the basis of facts to maintain public confidence in the electoral process.
Beniwal said the vote was not merely a means of choosing an election symbol but a constitutional right of every citizen. He stressed the need to ensure that no eligible voter was deprived of this right and that the details recorded in electoral rolls remained accurate.
Punjab Congress leaders, including Ferozepur MLA Kulbir Singh Zira, also questioned the functioning and decisions of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging that these had raised concerns over the independence and impartiality of the Election Commission.
The Congress leaders said the party had demanded the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner, suspension of the SIR exercise, restoration of the alleged 13.3 crore names removed from electoral rolls and an independent, time-bound inquiry into alleged serious irregularities related to elections.
They maintained that the Election Commission, being a constitutional institution, should function independently of any ruling party and inspire confidence among all political parties.
Among those present were Ruby Gill of Jalalabad, former MLA Parminder Singh Pinki, Ashu Bangar, Baljit Kaur Bangar, Joginder Pal Bhata, Gurbhej Singh Tibbi, Punjab BC Wing president Raman Behl, Gurdeep Singh Dhillon, Jyoti Varwal, Sarabjit Kaur, district president of the Mahila Congress, Balwinder Singh Bhullar, former president Mallanwala, Satnam Singh Faridewala, Balwinder Singh Sandhu, Rukna Begu, Sukhwinder Singh Atari, Ashok Sachdeva, Ravinder Singh Toot, district president JBM Ferozepur, Satpal Chawla, former president Mallanwala, Bohar Singh, Kamalpreet Singh, Block President Ghal Khurd, Babble Sharma, Mallanwala, Lakhwinder Singh Jaura, Arjun Singh Mallanwala, Gurbhagat Singh Zeera, MC Balraj Singh, Numberdar Karaj Singh, Dharmbir Singh, President SC Cell Zira, Baljit Singh Borawali, Harpreet Singh Kohala, Romi Chopra, Baldev Singh Rattakhera, Gursewak Singh Dhillon, Baljit Singh Babba Brar, Banta Singh Karmuka, Mallanwala, Naseeb Singh Khalsa, Sukhjit Singh Gogi, Piareana, Joban Singh, Deepak Dhillon, Sur Singh, Gurwinder Sappanwala, Tilak Raj, Kuldeep Singh Awan, Rupinder Bhullar, Khai, Manohar Singh, Rashpal Singh Mallubania, Desraj, Block President Shehri, Baaz Singh Faridewala, Jagseer Singh Kot Karor, Rajnish Kumar Goel, Gurdev Singh Sarpanch, Zorawar Singh, Gurdev Singh Sarpanch Hamadwala, Shiv Sagar Sharma, Block President, Balwinder Singh Kakkar and others.