2 hrs ago
Venugopal Demands CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s Arrest Amid ECI Row
K. C. Venugopal, a Congress leader, has called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to be arrested and removed.
He says some actions involving voter lists were illegal and harmed democracy.
The dispute concerns how names are added to or removed from electoral rolls.
It also involves changes to voter forms and access to voter information.
Reports say two other Election Commissioners raised concerns about some decisions.
Congress has held protests and plans more demonstrations.
The Congress Working Committee and INDIA bloc will discuss the matter.
Pinarayi Vijayan also criticized Kumar and asked for the revision exercises to be stopped.
The Election Commission is a three-member body that is expected to make decisions collectively where possible.
Congress leader K. C. Venugopal demanded Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s arrest and resignation.
Venugopal said protests would continue nationwide until Kumar and another election official, identified as Rajiv, stepped down.
The controversy involves reported internal disagreements over electoral-roll revisions, including the Special Intensive Revision.
Reports said Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi raised objections to some Election Commission decisions and processes.
The Congress Working Committee and INDIA bloc are expected to discuss the issue, while Pinarayi Vijayan also called for Kumar’s removal and revision processes to stop.
- Who
- K. C. Venugopal, the Congress party, Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.
- What
- Venugopal demanded Kumar’s arrest and resignation amid allegations about electoral-roll revision and reported disagreements within the Election Commission of India.
- Where
- The developments and protests were reported in Kerala, including Thiruvananthapuram and Malappuram, as well as Delhi and other parts of India.
- When
- The statements and protests were reported on Friday, September 25; the articles also say further protests and meetings were planned for the following days and week.
- Why
- Venugopal and other critics allege that electoral-roll revision decisions violated legal and democratic principles and that Kumar overrode concerns raised by other commissioners.
Key facts
- Main demand
- K. C. Venugopal demanded the arrest and resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
- Election body
- The Election Commission of India is described as a three-member body headed by the Chief Election Commissioner.
- Disputed process
- The controversy centers on electoral-roll revision, including the Special Intensive Revision and Special Summary Revision.
- Reported objections
- Reports said Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi raised internal concerns about decisions and processes.
- Planned political meetings
- The Congress Working Committee and INDIA bloc are expected to discuss the issue.
- Protests
- Congress protests were reported in Kerala, Delhi, and other states, with further demonstrations planned.
- Additional criticism
- Pinarayi Vijayan demanded Kumar’s removal and called for revision exercises to stop and allegedly excluded voters’ rights to be restored.
Quotes
K.C. Venugopal
AICC general secretary and Congress leader
“I’m talking about the most important thing regarding the nation—the existence of the nation. The existence of the nation is democracy. If this democracy is also destroyed, this nation will be ruined.”
theprint.in
“There hasn’t been a political earthquake beyond this in recent times. We will not stay quiet about this. There will be nationwide protests over this.”
theprint.in
Sources
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