12-JUN-2025, 06:16 PM
In a sharp critique aimed at the current administration, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera on Monday accused the central government of deliberately restricting public access to vital election-related documents. According to Khera, such actions amount to undermining democratic transparency and accountability, especially in a time when free and fair elections form the cornerstone of public trust in governance.
Pawan Khera alleged that citizens, journalists, and political parties are increasingly finding it difficult to obtain certified copies of electoral documents, such as Form 17C — a crucial record that details vote counts in each polling booth. His remarks come amidst ongoing debates on the integrity of the electoral process, with opposition parties raising questions about the Election Commission’s role and operational neutrality.
Pawan Khera Questions Government’s Intentions
Pawan Khera : Allegations of Transparency Erosion
Pawan Khera voiced serious concerns over what he described as the government’s attempts to “hide the truth behind a veil of secrecy.” Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi, the Congress leader said that the public has a constitutional right to scrutinize the electoral process — a right that is allegedly being restricted through unofficial guidelines and bureaucratic hurdles.
“This is not just about one party. This is about the fundamental right of every Indian to know how their vote was counted,” Khera asserted. “When certified copies of Form 17C are denied or delayed, we must ask — what is the government trying to hide?”
Pawan Khera : Call for Wider Opposition Unity
Pawan Khera also called on opposition parties to unite and demand greater transparency from both the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the central government. He suggested the formation of a cross-party committee to investigate whether legal and constitutional norms were being violated by withholding key electoral data from the public.
“This issue goes beyond political lines,” Khera said. “Whether you are a Congress supporter, an AAP voter, or a regional party activist — you deserve to know the truth about your vote.”
The Significance of Form 17C and Pawan Khera : Demand
Pawan Khera : What is Form 17C and Why It Matters
At the heart of Pawan Khera’s allegation lies Form 17C — a critical document in India’s election process. Form 17C is used by polling officers to record the number of votes polled in each polling station. A copy is signed by each party agent and provided to them at the end of voting.
This form is crucial for verifying the integrity of election results and is often used by parties to cross-check data with the final results declared by the Election Commission. If access to these forms is blocked, it makes it nearly impossible for independent audits or verifications, thus raising concerns about electoral credibility.
Alleged Violation of RTI Rights
Khera also pointed out that denying public access to Form 17C could be a violation of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, which allows Indian citizens to seek information from public authorities. He said that multiple RTI applications requesting copies of polling station-wise data were either left unanswered or rejected under vague pretexts.
“When even a legitimate RTI is ignored, it reflects poorly on the health of our democracy,” Pawan Khera said, calling on the Election Commission to issue immediate clarifications and directives for transparency.
Government Responds Cautiously to Pawan Khera’s Remarks
Officials Deny Allegations, Cite Legal Boundaries
In response to Pawan Khera’s statements, senior officials in the Election Commission maintained that no such restriction was being imposed on the availability of Form 17C. According to the ECI, the forms are accessible to authorized political party representatives, and any deviation may be due to procedural delays at local levels.
However, no formal clarification was issued regarding the denial of RTI applications seeking the same data. This gap in accountability has only added fuel to the opposition’s fire, with many backing Khera’s call for greater scrutiny.
BJP Accuses Congress of Creating Unnecessary Panic
The BJP reacted sharply to Pawan Khera’s accusations, labeling them as “politically motivated” and aimed at distracting from the Congress party’s own electoral setbacks. “It’s ironic that the Congress is talking about transparency when their own track record on election reform is questionable,” said BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia.
He added that all procedures are being followed as per the guidelines of the Representation of the People Act, and accused Khera of stirring unrest by misrepresenting facts.
Civil Society, Election Watchdogs Join the Debate
Transparency Advocates Support Khera’s Concerns
Several independent election monitoring groups and civil society organizations have echoed Pawan Khera’s concerns. The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), a non-governmental organization that works on electoral transparency, issued a statement urging the Election Commission to make Form 17C data publicly available on its website.
“Transparency in the counting process is non-negotiable,” said ADR co-founder Jagdeep Chhokar. “We support calls from leaders like Pawan Khera who are demanding accountability and access to information that belongs to the public domain.”
Legal Experts Weigh In
Legal experts have also suggested that if the government or Election Commission is found to be actively restricting access to polling documents, it could constitute a breach of constitutional duties.
Supreme Court advocate Prashant Bhushan tweeted, “Denying access to Form 17C can be challenged in court. The Election Commission must not become a tool of the government.” The growing legal and public discourse surrounding Pawan Khera’s statement suggests the issue is unlikely to fade quietly.
What Comes Next: Khera’s Plans and Political Fallout
Congress to File Petition with Election Commission
Pawan Khera revealed that the Congress party is preparing to file an official petition with the Election Commission demanding public access to all polling-related documents, particularly Form 17C copies. The party has also planned to launch an online campaign under the hashtag #ReleaseForm17C to raise awareness about the issue.
“The silence of the Election Commission will not deter us. If they don’t act, we will approach the courts,” Khera warned.
Possible Winter Session Debate
Given the growing political and public interest, experts believe the issue may feature in parliamentary debates during the upcoming Winter Session. Pawan Khera has already indicated that the Congress party will push for a broader discussion on electoral reforms, digital voting concerns, and transparency in the counting process.
Conclusion: Pawan Khera Stirs Crucial Debate on Electoral Transparency
Pawan Khera’s strong remarks against the government and the Election Commission have sparked an important national conversation about electoral transparency, public accountability, and the right to information. While political reactions remain divided, the underlying issue touches the very core of India’s democratic process — the citizen’s right to verify how their vote was counted.
As the story unfolds, all eyes will be on the Election Commission’s response and whether this incident triggers overdue reforms in India’s electoral framework. One thing is clear: Pawan Khera has pushed an essential issue into the national spotlight, one that is unlikely to be ignored in the months ahead.
Source : ANI
