Chennai, 12 August (H.S.) : MNM president and Rajya Sabha member Kamal Haasan has called for greater transparency in India's electoral process, urging the Election Commission to publish electoral rolls in machine-readable formats. This demand comes amid allegations of irregularities in voter lists, with Rahul Gandhi recently claiming that over 1 lakh fake votes were found in a Karnataka assembly segment.

Haasan criticized the Election Commission's reluctance to publish electoral rolls in a format that allows independent verification. Why demand a written oath from the Leader of the Opposition when the very data he cites is from the Election Commission's records? Haasan questioned. He emphasized the importance of transparency, stating that defend the vote, and you defend the republic.

The MNM leader also condemned the detention of Rahul Gandhi and other INDIA bloc MPs during their protest march to the Election Commission office in Delhi. Haasan urged citizens to rise up and demand answers, stressing that this issue transcends party lines and is crucial for the country's democracy.

Haasan's demands are aimed at ensuring the integrity of the electoral process, and he has appealed to all political parties, including those in the NDA, to unite for transparency. By publishing electoral rolls in machine-readable formats and allowing independent audits, the Election Commission can take a significant step towards maintaining the trustworthiness of India's electoral system.

The controversy surrounding electoral rolls has sparked a heated debate, with the Election Commission facing criticism for its handling of the issue. While the EC has maintained that providing electoral rolls in machine-readable formats could compromise voter privacy, Haasan and other opposition leaders argue that transparency is essential for maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Dr. R. B. Chaudhary