Fiery Rebuttal: Mahua Moitra Slams CEC's 'Dead Voters' Remark as 'Absolutely Ridiculous'

In a powerful display of political indignation, Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mahua Moitra has launched a scathing attack on Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, labelling his remarks about 22 lakh 'dead voters' in Mumbai as "absolutely ridiculous." The heated exchange erupted following a press conference where CEC Kumar attributed low voter turnout in certain Mumbai constituencies to the removal of deceased individuals from the electoral rolls, a statement that has clearly struck a raw nerve.

Moitra, known for her sharp rhetoric, took to social media to express her outrage, challenging the very premise of the CEC's explanation. Her central argument revolves around the competency and diligence of the Election Commission of India (ECI). If, as the CEC suggests, over two million deceased individuals remained on voter lists until election day, it raises profound questions about the ECI's fundamental responsibility to maintain accurate and updated electoral records. "The Election Commission cannot be taken seriously when it says it found 22 lakh dead voters on Mumbai rolls AFTER election is over," Moitra asserted, highlighting the apparent absurdity of the situation.

The controversy stems from CEC Kumar's post-election analysis, where he suggested that the removal of these 'dead' or duplicate voters was a key factor in Mumbai's lower-than-expected turnout. He mentioned that the names of 11 lakh voters were removed from Mumbai North and 11.8 lakh from Mumbai North-West and Mumbai North-Central constituencies. However, Moitra's counter-argument is that such a massive discrepancy should have been identified and rectified well in advance of the polling day, not cited as an afterthought to explain turnout figures.

This latest skirmish adds another layer to the long-standing debate surrounding the accuracy of India's electoral rolls. Critics, including Moitra, have frequently raised concerns about inconsistencies, duplicate entries, and the potential for voter disenfranchisement or manipulation due to flawed lists. Moitra's fiery response underscores a broader demand for greater transparency and accountability from the Election Commission, particularly as India navigates its complex democratic processes.

Her strong condemnation not only challenges the specific remarks made by CEC Kumar but also casts a shadow over the ECI's operational efficiency. In a democracy where every vote counts, and the integrity of the electoral process is paramount, the presence of millions of 'dead' or invalid entries on voter lists, purportedly discovered only post-election, is a serious matter. Moitra's outspokenness reflects a deeper frustration among political observers and the public over what is perceived as a critical lapse in electoral administration, urging the ECI to demonstrate unyielding precision and reliability in its core duties.