2 hrs ago
Election Commission Says No Appointment Was Sought Before Protest
Opposition MPs marched to try to meet the Election Commission.
The Commission said it had not received a meeting request before 4 pm.
It was then told that 240 MPs wanted to meet at the Parliament House Annexe.
The Commission said its rules call for meetings to happen at its own offices.
It offered to send a senior officer to collect the MPs’ memorandum instead.
The MPs declined that offer.
Police stopped the march, and some opposition leaders were detained.
The protest was part of a wider dispute over election processes and a demand for the Chief Election Commissioner to resign.
The Election Commission said no party sought a meeting appointment before 4 pm on Tuesday.
It was later told that 240 MPs wanted to meet at the Parliament House Annexe.
The Commission said its protocol requires such meetings to take place at its own premises.
It offered to send a senior officer to receive the MPs’ memorandum, but they declined.
Rahul Gandhi led an INDIA bloc march toward the Commission; police stopped and detained some protesters.
- Who
- The Election Commission, INDIA bloc MPs led by Rahul Gandhi, and Delhi Police.
- What
- The Commission declined a request for a meeting at the Parliament House Annexe and offered to send an officer to receive a memorandum; the MPs declined.
- Where
- The protest march went from Parliament Street toward the Election Commission’s headquarters in New Delhi.
- When
- Tuesday; the Commission said no appointment had been sought by 4 pm.
- Why
- The INDIA bloc was protesting over electoral processes and pressing for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
Election Commission
INDIA bloc MPs
Meeting arrangements
Election Commission
The Commission said no appointment had been requested by 4 pm, the proposed venue was outside its premises, and its protocol requires meetings at its offices.
INDIA bloc MPs
The MPs sought a meeting with the Commission at the Parliament House Annexe and wanted to submit a memorandum.
Alternative to a meeting
Election Commission
The Commission offered to send its senior-most officer on duty to receive the memorandum.
INDIA bloc MPs
The MPs declined the offer, according to the Commission.
Electoral concerns
Election Commission
The Commission said it respects democratic processes and its own protocols and conventions.
INDIA bloc MPs
The opposition bloc protested over electoral processes and pressed for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
Key facts
- Appointment status
- The Commission said no political party had sought an appointment by 4 pm.
- Delegation
- The Delhi Police informed the Commission that 240 MPs wished to meet it.
- Proposed meeting venue
- Parliament House Annexe.
- Commission protocol
- The Commission said meetings are held on its own premises.
- Alternative offer
- A senior officer was offered to receive the memorandum; MPs declined.
- Protest route
- From Parliament Street toward the Election Commission’s headquarters.
- Stated protest context
- The article links the march to demands for Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation following a report about alleged SIR irregularities and differences among election commissioners.
Quotes
Election Commission of India
India’s national body responsible for administering elections.
“The Election Commission considered this request as unusual and therefore, could not be accepted, as, in accordance with ECI protocol, such meetings are held only on the premises of the Election Commission of India.”
rediff.com
“Till 4 pm today, no political party, through its representatives, had sought an appointment for a meeting with the Election Commission.”
rediff.com
Sources
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