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Congress Mobilises Nationwide Protests Against Chief Election Commissioner
Congress is planning protests in districts across India against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The party says there were problems with how electoral rolls were revised.
Electoral rolls are the lists of people allowed to vote.
Congress wants Kumar removed and wants decisions made during his tenure reviewed.
K C Venugopal said more than 1,000 district leaders were briefed about the protests.
Congress describes the campaign as a fight to protect the Constitution and democracy.
The party also alleges that election-related actions helped the government and BJP commit what it calls “Vote Chori.”
The Election Commission says decisions about the roll revision were approved by all three commissioners.
Congress convened more than 1,000 District Congress Committee presidents to prepare for nationwide district-level protests planned for Monday.
The party is demanding the immediate removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and reversal of decisions taken during his tenure.
Congress alleges irregularities in the electoral process and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
K C Venugopal accused Gyanesh Kumar of actions that Congress says helped the Narendra Modi-led government and BJP facilitate “Vote Chori.”
The Election Commission maintains that decisions on the Special Intensive Revision were approved by all three commissioners, despite reported internal differences.
- Who
- The Indian National Congress, led in this campaign by general secretary K C Venugopal, is protesting against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Election Commission of India.
- What
- Congress is organising nationwide district-level protests and demanding Kumar’s removal, along with a reversal or independent review of decisions taken under his watch.
- Where
- The protests are planned across India at the district level.
- When
- The mobilisation was announced on Sunday, with district-level protests scheduled for Monday.
- Why
- Congress says electoral-process irregularities and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls threaten electoral integrity and democratic institutions.
Congress’s Position
Election Commission’s Position
Electoral-roll revision
Congress’s Position
Congress alleges irregularities and seeks an independent review of changes to electoral rolls and decisions taken under Gyanesh Kumar’s watch.
Election Commission’s Position
The Election Commission maintains that decisions on the Special Intensive Revision were taken with the approval of all three commissioners.
Chief Election Commissioner’s conduct
Congress’s Position
Congress accuses Gyanesh Kumar of failing to protect the integrity of the electoral process and demands his immediate removal.
Election Commission’s Position
The Election Commission’s stated position, as reported, is that the relevant SIR decisions had collective approval; it rejects the suggestion that they lacked institutional backing.
Political impact
Congress’s Position
Congress says the alleged actions enabled the Narendra Modi-led government and BJP to facilitate what it calls “Vote Chori.”
Election Commission’s Position
The Election Commission has not accepted Congress’s allegations in the account and maintains the stated basis for its SIR decisions.
Key facts
- Organising party
- Indian National Congress
- Congress organiser
- K C Venugopal
- Target of demand
- Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
- Planned action
- Nationwide district-level protests on Monday
- Organisational mobilisation
- More than 1,000 District Congress Committee presidents attended a virtual briefing
- Main issue
- Alleged electoral irregularities and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls
- Election Commission position
- The Commission says SIR decisions were approved by all three commissioners
Quotes
K C Venugopal
Congress general secretary who announced the party’s district-level protest mobilisation
“Our demands have been Gyanesh Kumar’s immediate removal and a reversal of all decisions taken under his watch”
thestatesman.com
Sources
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