Congress Protests Across India, Demands CEC Gyanesh Kumar's Resignation Amid Election Commission Row

The Congress on Friday held protests across several states demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation, amid a dispute over decision-making within the Election Commission.

Congress workers took to the streets in Delhi, Patna, Jammu, Kolkata, Punjab, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh on Friday as the party stepped up its campaign against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The protests followed the party's call for nationwide demonstrations over allegations concerning decision-making within the poll panel and the handling of electoral roll revisions.

Congress Workers Protest In Delhi

In Delhi, Indian Youth Congress workers marched from the organisation's office on Raisina Road towards the Election Commission headquarters.

Some protesters wore masks bearing Kumar's face and appeared with their hands bound in chains. They raised slogans and displayed posters demanding accountability from the Chief Election Commissioner.

The protest led to clashes with police barricades, and several Congress workers were detained as they attempted to move towards the Election Commission office.

Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav demanded Kumar's immediate resignation during the protest.

In Assam, state Congress chief Gaurav Gogoi and several party workers were detained during the demonstration. Police also used water cannons against Congress workers who marched towards the poll panel's office in Patna.

Row Over Differences Within Election Commission

The Congress protests came after an Indian Express report that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had recorded objections at least 14 times over 10 months to decisions and orders they said had been issued without their knowledge.

According to the report cited by NDTV, the objections covered changes to statutory voter registration Form 6, the handling of additions and deletions from electoral rolls and centralised control of the electoral roll database.

The issues have emerged amid the nationwide rollout of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Election Commission Responds

The Election Commission has rejected the suggestion that differing views within the three-member panel indicate a breakdown in its functioning.

The poll body said differences of opinion and observations are a normal part of institutional deliberations and maintained that its orders have full legal sanction and follow established statutory procedures.

The Commission also said that all its officers, not just the three Election Commissioners, are authorised to offer suggestions aimed at improving the electoral system.

Rahul Gandhi Demands CEC's Resignation

The Congress intensified its attack on Thursday, when Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi demanded Kumar's resignation at a press conference in New Delhi.

Gandhi criticised the functioning of the Election Commission and alleged that the electoral process was being undermined. He also said the Congress would continue its campaign over the issue.

The Congress had directed its state units to organise protests at State Election Commission offices on September 25, seeking Kumar's arrest and removal from office and an independent review of decisions and electoral roll changes made during his tenure.

The Election Commission's response and the Opposition's allegations have placed the SIR exercise and the poll panel's internal decision-making under increased political scrutiny.