1 hr ago
Election Commission Explains Meeting Request After Gandhi Protest
Rahul Gandhi and other leaders marched to the Election Commission and held a sit-in.
Gandhi wanted Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign.
Police detained Gandhi and some other leaders that evening.
The Election Commission later explained how it understood the meeting request.
It said it had not received a request from a political party before 4 p.m.
The Commission said it was then told that 240 MPs wanted to meet at Parliament House Annexe.
It said meetings are normally held at the Commission’s offices, so it could not agree to that location.
The Commission offered to send a senior officer to collect the MPs’ written message, but said the MPs declined.
It said political parties can request meetings and that the time is arranged by agreement.
Rahul Gandhi led a march from Parliament to the Election Commission and began a sit-in demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar resign.
Delhi Police detained Gandhi and other leaders, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, at about 8 p.m.
The Election Commission said no political party had requested a meeting through its representatives by 4 p.m.
The Commission said Delhi Police later informed it that a delegation of 240 MPs wanted to meet at Parliament House Annexe.
The Commission said it could not accept that venue, offered to send a senior officer to receive the memorandum, and said the offer was declined.
- Who
- Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, other MPs and political leaders, Delhi Police, and the Election Commission of India.
- What
- Gandhi led a protest and sit-in demanding Gyanesh Kumar's resignation; the Election Commission issued a statement about the meeting request.
- Where
- The march went from Parliament toward the Election Commission's office in Delhi; the proposed meeting venue was Parliament House Annexe.
- When
- Tuesday; the Commission said it was informed of the meeting request at around 4 p.m., and police detained leaders at around 8 p.m.
- Why
- Gandhi's protest called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign; the Commission's statement addressed the MPs' request to meet and submit a memorandum.
Protesters' position
Election Commission's account
Meeting request and access
Protesters' position
Rahul Gandhi led MPs in seeking a meeting with the Election Commission and intended to submit a memorandum.
Election Commission's account
The Commission said no political party had sought an appointment through its representatives before 4 p.m.; it was later told by Delhi Police about the delegation and proposed venue.
Meeting venue and alternative
Protesters' position
The MPs sought a meeting at Parliament House Annexe and declined the Commission's offer to send an officer there to receive the memorandum.
Election Commission's account
The Commission said meetings are held at its premises under its protocol, so it could not accept the proposed venue; it offered to send a senior officer to collect the memorandum.
Key facts
- Protest leader
- Rahul Gandhi
- Demand
- Gyanesh Kumar's resignation
- Detentions
- At about 8 p.m., including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra
- Commission's stated request time
- Around 4 p.m., according to information received from Delhi Police
- Delegation size reported to the Commission
- 240 MPs
- Proposed meeting location
- Parliament House Annexe
- Commission's alternative
- Send a senior-most officer on duty to receive the memorandum
Sources
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