Himachal Congress Launches Statewide Protest Demanding CEC Resignation
Himachal Pradesh Congress launches statewide protests demanding the resignation and legal action against CEC Gyanesh Kumar over electoral roll concerns.
The Himachal Pradesh Congress has escalated its confrontation with the Election Commission of India (ECI), initiating a massive statewide demonstration on Monday. The party is demanding the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, while also calling for legal action against him, alleging that recent electoral decisions have been arbitrary and undemocratic.
The protests unfolded simultaneously across all 12 district headquarters in the state. Congress district units staged demonstrations and submitted formal memoranda addressed to the President of India, which were handed over to the respective Deputy Commissioners.
Allegations of Unilateral Decision-Making
In the state capital, Shimla, the urban and rural units of the District Congress Committee joined forces to submit their memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner. The party's grievances center on the functioning of the poll panel, specifically targeting the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Speaking to the media following the submission, Hari Krishna Himral, the District Congress Committee Shimla Rural president, raised serious questions regarding the leadership within the ECI. He claimed that even fellow Election Commissioners, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, have reportedly questioned what he described as a monopoly held by the Chief Election Commissioner.
Himral alleged that the CEC has been making unilateral decisions that undermine the democratic process. He further echoed long-standing allegations made by senior leader Rahul Gandhi regarding "vote theft," noting that the party has been protesting these perceived irregularities at state, district, and block levels for several years.
Concerns Over Electoral Roll Revision
A primary driver of the current unrest is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. The Congress party fears that this exercise is being used to manipulate the voter base to the detriment of opposition supporters. Key concerns raised by the party include:
- Impact on Voter Numbers: The party alleges that the SIR process could negatively affect a significant portion of the electorate, noting that Congress received support from over 12 crore voters in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
- Identity Verification Hurdles: There is deep concern regarding the requirement for citizens to repeatedly prove their identity and citizenship during the revision process.
- Targeting Vulnerable Groups: Himral highlighted the plight of senior citizens and veterans, questioning why individuals—including those who served in the 1965 and 1971 wars—are facing difficulties regarding their electoral status.
"If a senior office-bearer who is 70 years old has to prove today that he is a citizen of this country and has to move from door to door and stand in queues, then what does that say about the value of his 70 years of life in this country?" Himral remarked, emphasizing the indignity the process imposes on elderly voters.
Demands for Independent Inquiry and Legal Action
The Congress is not merely seeking a change in leadership; they are demanding a thorough, independent investigation into the functioning of the Election Commission. The party's memorandum to the President seeks to awaken public awareness regarding these electoral discrepancies.
Beyond the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar, the party is calling for the registration of a formal case against him under specific legal provisions, citing the need for accountability in the management of India's democratic processes.