INDIA bloc meets President Murmu, demands return to ballot papers instead of EVMs

EC 'Was Not Competent to Change the Rules': Ashok Lavasa to India TodaySpeaking at the India Today Mumbai Conclave, former Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa and former Chief Election Commissioner O. P. Rawat raised critical concerns over the Election Commission of India's recent conduct and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. Ashok Lavasa argued that modifying Form 6 without government approval exceeded the poll body's powers, stating, 'the Commission was not empowered. They were not competent to change the rules.' Both former commissioners addressed voter exclusions in West Bengal, noting that statutory procedures under the Representation of the People Act, 1950 require relying on prior electoral rolls when revisions remain incomplete. Addressing institutional transparency, O. P. Rawat emphasized that Election Commissioners should remain objective without needing statutory immunity, noting, 'When you are impartial, objective, above board, where is the need?' They also examined centralized voter software, executive selection panels, and public trust in electoral integrity.