Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge warns of pressure on the Election Commission, flags risks to voting rights and electoral integrity on Voters’ Day.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on January 25 said democratic institutions—particularly the Election Commission of India—are under sustained pressure and must be protected to ensure democracy not only survives but genuinely flourishes.

Marking National Voters’ Day, Kharge said the day underscores the power of citizens’ collective voice in shaping the nation’s future. He stressed the need for free, fair, and fearless elections, arguing that clean electoral rolls and a level playing field are non-negotiable.

The Congress chief criticised what he termed attempts to undermine the “Right to Vote” through “vote chori” and poorly planned Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercises, warning that such moves erode India’s long-cherished democratic traditions.

Kharge also recalled that the Election Commission was established on January 25, 1950, a day before India became a republic, noting that National Voters’ Day has been observed for the past 16 years to promote electoral awareness and participation.

As debates intensify around voter roll revisions and election management, Kharge’s remarks reflect broader political concerns over institutional autonomy. For voters, the message is clear: vigilance, participation, and trust in independent institutions remain central to protecting democratic rights.