Under the leadership of YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, the YSR Congress Party has raised serious concerns in Parliament regarding electoral reforms and the functioning of the Election Commission, warning that the credibility of India’s democratic process depends on transparent, fair, and accountable elections. Participating in the Rajya Sabha debate on the State Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, YSR Congress Party MP YV Subba Reddy articulated apprehensions being voiced by voters, particularly in Andhra Pradesh, about whether their democratic mandate is being accurately recorded and respected.
State Intensive Revision Sparks Nationwide Anxiety
Subba Reddy noted that the SIR exercise has triggered national concern due to its scale, compressed timelines, and inadequate public communication. He pointed out that Booth Level Officers faced operational difficulties, citizens remained unclear about procedures, and fears of silent deletion of genuine voters gained ground. According to the YSR Congress Party, such large-scale voter list revisions, when conducted without sufficient safeguards, risk undermining public confidence in electoral institutions.
Judicial Scrutiny Reflects Gravity of the Issue
Highlighting the seriousness of the matter, Subba Reddy referred to the Supreme Court’s intervention in examining petitions related to the fairness of the SIR process in multiple states. He stated that judicial scrutiny itself underscores the need for greater transparency and accountability in electoral exercises that directly affect citizens’ voting rights. The party maintained that electoral reforms must strengthen democracy rather than introduce uncertainty or exclusion.
Vote Count Discrepancies in Andhra Pradesh Raised in Parliament
The YSR Congress Party also drew attention to discrepancies observed during recent Assembly and Parliamentary elections in Andhra Pradesh. Subba Reddy pointed out that there was a gap of nearly 89,500 votes between turnout figures released in press notes and the final Form 20 results. He further noted anomalies where some constituencies recorded higher Assembly votes than Parliamentary votes despite both elections being conducted using the same voter register, raising serious questions about data consistency.
Concerns Over Access to Electoral Records and Transparency
Subba Reddy expressed concern that candidates in Andhra Pradesh were denied access to CCTV footage, strong room visuals, and counting process recordings, while similar information was reportedly made available to parties in other regions. He argued that denial of such material weakens transparency and fuels mistrust among stakeholders. The YSR Congress Party stressed that equal access to electoral records is essential for ensuring fairness and accountability.
Questions Raised Over Post-Poll Vote Additions
The party also questioned the reported 12.54 per cent increase in polling after the official closure of voting, stating that over 51 lakh votes were added without clear explanation. Subba Reddy emphasised that unexplained post-poll data adjustments erode public trust and must be addressed transparently by the Election Commission to maintain the integrity of the electoral process.
YSR Congress Demands Structural Electoral Reforms
Reaffirming the party’s commitment to democratic values under YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s leadership, Subba Reddy outlined key demands aimed at restoring voter confidence. These include mandatory public disclosure of all polling-related records, strict enforcement of EVM verification procedures, 100 per cent webcasting with accessible official links, and a national-level discussion on the feasibility of paper ballots as an additional safeguard.
Protecting Democracy, Not Contesting Outcomes
Subba Reddy clarified that the YSR Congress Party’s concerns are not rooted in electoral outcomes but in the need to protect the sanctity of the democratic process. He urged the Election Commission to address all outstanding questions transparently and reaffirm its role as a neutral constitutional authority, ensuring that every voter’s mandate is recorded accurately and without doubt.
The intervention by the YSR Congress Party in the Rajya Sabha reflects a broader call, under the leadership of YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, to strengthen India’s electoral framework through transparency, accountability, and institutional trust. The party has reiterated that safeguarding democracy requires continuous vigilance, reform, and open dialogue to ensure that elections remain free, fair, and credible.
