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Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat on Tuesday defended Rahul Gandhi's criticism of the Election Commission over the deletion of 727 people out of 728 from Delhi's Bela Estate from electoral rolls, declaring that Rahul Gandhi is touching all the sore points of the ECI.
Speaking to ANI, Bhagat emphasised that the alleged assault on India's entire constitutional system must be acknowledged beyond party lines. "Rahul Gandhi is touching all the sore points. The extent to which votes were stolen, names were removed illegally... Later, the BJP will come forward to justify it. I am not talking merely about individual votes; I am speaking about the entire constitutional system and structure. If that is being assaulted, this must be acknowledged beyond party lines... We held protests across the country yesterday. We are exposing them through constitutional means..." said Bhagat. Bhagat's remarks came after the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, claimed that around 727 voters were excluded in Bela Estate on the banks of the Yamuna after the SIR. In a post on X, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged that this system is a method of vote theft, asserting that these 727 people have been living in this Bela Estate for decades. "728 people live in Bela Estate on the banks of the Yamuna. After SIR, only one name remains in the voter list - the other 727 names have been struck off. These people have been living here for decades. They have already voted in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and the 2025 Delhi elections. In 2023, their homes were demolished - but they didn't go anywhere, they're still right here. Today I went to their jhuggi and heard directly from them what the Election Commission has done to them. On the phone with the SDM, I said exactly this - having a house or not has no connection to the right to vote. CEC Gyanesh Kumar himself has said that "House Number 0" is for the homeless. Yet, 727 people's names have been struck off. This isn't SIR - this is a method of vote theft. From those who already have the least, their only power is being snatched away. Gyanesh Kumar will go. But the system that made him do this will also have to answer," said Gandhi. However, responding to Rahul Gandhi's allegations, the Chief Electoral Officer of Delhi declared that the matter had already been addressed by the concerned Electoral Registration Officer (ERO). In a post on X, the official stated that the Election Commission of India (ECI) has extended the period for filing claims and objections for the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi till October 30. "The matter has already been addressed by concerned ERO earlier also. Election Commission of India (ECI) has extended the period of filing claims & Objections for NCT of Delhi till 30.10.2026. In case any eligible electors finds his name missing in the draft roll can fill Form-6 to enroll himself/herself as a new elector alongwith declaration & supportive documents. Application forms may be submitted physically to the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO), Assistant Electoral Registration Officer (AERO), Booth Level Officers (BLO) and also at Designated Locations (polling stations). Application forms can also be submitted online at >https://voters.eci.gov.in; and > ECINET Mobile App. The Commission reiterates its firm commitment to a transparent, participative and inclusive revision process, ensuring that no eligible citizen is left out while no ineligible person is included in the Electoral Roll @ECISVEEP," said Delhi CEO. (ANI)
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