Patna: Seventeen persons allegedly declared dead by the Election Commission (EC) and deleted from the electoral roll during the special intensive revision (SIR) appeared as witnesses at a CPI(ML) public hearing here on Thursday.Held at the Indian Medical Association (IMA) hall, the hearing examined their cases, the wider implications of the SIR and CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s alleged role in irregularities.The witnesses alleged their names were deleted as dead despite being alive and having voted in elections. CPI(ML) also presented findings from its survey of the SIR and process.The seven-member jury included former state assembly Speaker Uday Narayan Choudhary, former Patna University history head Bharti S Kumar, PUCL national president Pushpendra, former VKSU vice-chancellor Ramashankar Arya and senior Congress leader Shakeel Ahmad Khan.The jury accused the EC of manipulating the process to benefit BJP and allies. It sought resignations of PM Narendra Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah and Gyanesh, and recommended withdrawal of the SIR and revision of the electoral roll.The State Election Commission officials could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.
