Members of the Jammu and Kashmir Congress staged protests across the Jammu region on Monday, vociferously demanding the resignation and arrest of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The demonstrators alleged widespread irregularities and ‘vote chori’ during recent electoral processes, holding the Election Commission accountable for perceived lapses in transparency and fairness. The protests, which saw party workers raising slogans and carrying placards, were organized by the District Congress Committee Jammu Urban and Rural at Shaheedi Chowk in Jammu. Police intervened to halt a planned march towards the Deputy Commissioner’s office amidst a significant police presence.
Yogesh Sawhney, former minister and president of DCC Jammu Urban, who led the protest in Jammu, articulated the party’s demands. He called for the immediate withdrawal of all decisions and orders issued during Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s tenure. Furthermore, Sawhney extended the accountability demand to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging his resignation and holding the central government responsible for the alleged electoral malpractices. The Congress articulated four key demands: the resignation of CEC Kumar, his immediate arrest, the nullification of all decisions made under his leadership, and the resignation of all individuals implicated in these alleged moves. Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that the protests were a direct response to growing discontent within the party regarding the integrity of the electoral system.
Raman Bhalla, working president of the J&K Congress, addressed the assembled protesters, emphasizing the Election Commission’s constitutional obligation to uphold transparency in the electoral process. He stated that allegations concerning the integrity of elections could not be dismissed and urged authorities to address the concerns raised by the opposition and the public through a credible and transparent mechanism. The protesters visually expressed their grievances by carrying a symbolic handcuff and a poster depicting the Chief Election Commissioner, chanting slogans demanding his apprehension. Bhalla asserted that the Congress party would persist with its agitation until their demands were met, indicating a sustained campaign against the Election Commission’s functioning.
Similar demonstrations were reported in other districts of Jammu, including Poonch and Udhampur, where Congress workers also voiced concerns over the Election Commission’s operations and demanded accountability for alleged electoral irregularities. In Poonch, a significant number of Congress workers marched towards the Deputy Commissioner’s office to protest against the CEC. Concurrently, in Udhampur, scores of party workers undertook a similar march to the Deputy Commissioner’s office, holding a demonstration to express their dissatisfaction. The protests were also observed in Kathua, Samba, Ramban, Rajouri, and Doda districts, indicating a widespread and coordinated opposition to the Election Commission’s perceived shortcomings across the Union Territory.
Prominent leaders and party workers, including DCC Jammu Rural president Neeraj Kundan and former minister Mula Ram, participated in the demonstrations, lending significant weight to the party’s collective voice. The widespread protests demanding the CEC’s resignation followed an investigative report by The Indian Express. This report revealed that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had formally objected on record at least 14 times over the preceding ten months to decisions and orders that they claimed were issued without their knowledge. These objections reportedly included significant changes to statutory voter registration Form 6 and the centralization of control over the electoral roll database, raising serious questions about the internal functioning and decision-making processes within the Election Commission.
In response to these allegations and the ensuing protests, the Election Commission has issued a statement asserting that its official orders, decisions, and administrative directions possess full legal sanction. The Commission further clarified that differing views and observations are a natural and normal part of deliberations within any institutional framework, suggesting that the reported objections were part of routine internal discussions rather than evidence of systemic failure or malfeasance. However, the Congress party remains unconvinced by these assurances and has vowed to continue its public pressure campaign until its demands for accountability and electoral reform are addressed.
The core of the Congress’s protest centers on the alleged lack of transparency and potential manipulation within the electoral machinery, as highlighted by the internal objections raised by Election Commissioners Sandhu and Joshi. The party argues that such internal dissent, particularly concerning fundamental aspects of voter registration and database management, undermines public trust in the electoral process. The demand for the CEC’s resignation and arrest reflects the severity with which the Congress views these alleged irregularities, framing them as a direct assault on democratic principles. The ongoing protests signal a deepening political confrontation in Jammu and Kashmir, with the Congress party positioning itself as a staunch defender of electoral integrity against what it terms as a compromised Election Commission.
The implications of these allegations extend beyond the immediate political fallout, potentially impacting the broader discourse on electoral reforms and the independence of constitutional bodies in India. The Election Commission’s assertion of legal sanction for its decisions, while standard, faces heightened scrutiny in the wake of the reported internal disagreements. As the Congress vows to continue its agitation, the situation underscores the critical need for robust mechanisms to ensure and demonstrate the impartiality and transparency of India’s electoral processes, particularly in sensitive regions like Jammu and Kashmir where public trust is paramount. The party’s stance suggests a commitment to pursuing this issue vigorously, potentially leading to further political developments and public engagement on electoral governance.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.
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