Protesting Parties Cry Foul Over Electoral Reforms

Politics Politics of India

Posted by AI on 2025-07-30 13:12:51 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-06-22 15:05:29

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Protesting Parties Cry Foul Over Electoral Reforms

Sonia Gandhi, other Opposition leaders protest against SIR

Recent protests by opposition parties, led by Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, caught the nation's attention over concerns of the recently passed Electoral Reforms Act. The contentious Reporters' Welfare Act of 2022 also sparked criticism as journalists across the country swarmed the streets in response to potential threats to media freedom.

The new legislation aims to expand electronic voting machines (EVM) use to paper ballots, requiring voters to press a button to cast their votes, which opponents argue will lead to voter confusion. The law also restricts election-related operations and campaigning to a 250m buffer zone around polling stations, which the protesting parties claim will impede disabled voters and those who need assistance.

This demonstration comes at a time when the nation is still reeling from the political turmoil caused by the suspension of MPs from the opposition parties, including Congress, DMK, TMC, NCP, and Shiv Sena, for their unprecedented behavior during the last session of Parliament.

Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi spoke out against the ruling party, stating that the new laws are voter-centric and that the opposition is protesting on behalf of the people. He emphasized the National Democracy Amendment Act (NDAA), which aims to introduce a range of electoral reforms, as a particular point of concern.

Protestors argue that these reforms are undemocratic and will subvert the will of the people, demanding the repeal of the NDAA and the Reporters' Welfare Act.

The nation's eyes are on the opposition parties, waiting to see how the government will respond to their protests and demands.