52 mins ago
Protesters Detained at Jantar Mantar Demanding CEC’s Resignation
People gathered at Jantar Mantar in Delhi for a second day to ask the head of India’s Election Commission to resign.
They said they were worried about how the commission was revising voter lists.
Police detained several people, including lawyer Prashant Bhushan and activist Yogendra Yadav.
Nearly 700 people had been detained at the protest the day before, but they were later released.
Police said the gathering did not have permission and restrictions on large gatherings were in effect.
The protests followed a news investigation about objections raised by two election commissioners.
The Election Commission said questions raised during draft work are part of normal administration and help protect voters.
Prashant Bhushan, Yogendra Yadav and AISA chief Neha Bora were among those detained Saturday at Jantar Mantar.
Demonstrators called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign, citing concerns about the Election Commission and its voter-roll revision.
The protest was held for a second consecutive day; nearly 700 people were detained on Friday and later released.
Police said permission had not been granted and restrictions on gatherings of five or more people remained in force in New Delhi district.
The demonstrations followed a report that election commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had objected 14 times to poll-panel decisions in 10 months.
- Who
- Protesters, including Prashant Bhushan, Yogendra Yadav, Neha Bora and Kapil Sibal; they demanded Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
- What
- Demonstrators protested the Election Commission’s functioning and its handling of the special intensive revision of electoral rolls; several were detained.
- Where
- Jantar Mantar, New Delhi.
- When
- Saturday, the second consecutive day of demonstrations; a related protest took place Friday.
- Why
- Protesters raised concerns about the voter-roll revision and a news investigation reporting objections by two election commissioners to poll-panel decisions.
Protesters’ concerns
Election Commission’s response
Special intensive revision of electoral rolls
Protesters’ concerns
Protesters raised concerns about the exercise’s implementation and its potential effects on genuine voters and election outcomes.
Election Commission’s response
The Election Commission said operational queries or inputs raised during draft stages are standard administrative practice intended to safeguard voter rights.
Reported objections by election commissioners
Protesters’ concerns
The investigation reported that Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi objected 14 times to poll-panel decisions, with one objection describing an action as unauthorised and illegal.
Election Commission’s response
The Election Commission characterized draft-stage queries or inputs as part of normal administrative practice; Kumar had not commented on the investigation at the time of the report.
Key facts
- Protest location
- Jantar Mantar, New Delhi
- Protest demand
- Resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
- Saturday detainees named
- Prashant Bhushan, Yogendra Yadav and Neha Bora
- Friday detentions
- Nearly 700 protesters were detained and reportedly released later that day
- Police position
- Police said no demonstration permission had been granted and restrictions on gatherings of five or more people remained in force in New Delhi district
- Reported commissioner objections
- Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi reportedly objected 14 times in 10 months to decisions related to the special intensive revision
- Election Commission response
- It said operational queries or inputs during draft stages are part of standard administrative practice to safeguard voter rights
Quotes
Election Commission
India’s constitutional body responsible for conducting elections.
“Operational queries or inputs raised by commission members during draft stages are part of standard administrative practice.”
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Sources
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