ITANAGAR, SEP 25:

The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) on Friday staged a peaceful protest dharna near Nirvachan Bhawan in Itanagar as part of the party’s nationwide agitation, demanding the resignation and removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over what it described as irregularities in the electoral roll revision process and alleged “Vote Chori”.

Congress workers raised slogans against the Election Commission of India (ECI) and demanded complete transparency, accountability and an independent inquiry into decisions and processes relating to the electoral rolls and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. The protest was held without any untoward incident, officials said.

The APCC demanded that the ongoing SIR exercise be frozen and that upcoming elections be kept on hold until an independent inquiry into the electoral roll revision process is completed. It further sought restoration of the electoral roll to the January 2025 list and constitution of an independent Inquiry Commission to examine decisions, procedures and actions connected with the SIR exercise.

The party also demanded an independent investigation into the functioning and decision-making of the ECI under Kumar, including examination of its allegations of unauthorised addition or deletion of voters. It sought appropriate criminal proceedings if the allegations are established and asked that the investigation determine whether any decisions were taken under external directions or influence.

Among its other demands, the APCC sought that all files, records, documents and digital material related to the electoral-roll revision and SIR be secured and placed in the custody of the Supreme Court to prevent their loss, alteration or destruction during any future investigation or judicial examination.

The party also called for repeal of the 2023 legislation governing the appointment of Election Commissioners and its replacement with a framework that, it said, would strengthen the independence, transparency and credibility of the ECI, with participation of civil society and other stakeholders.

The APCC said the revision of electoral rolls raised concerns over the protection of eligible citizens’ right to vote and asserted that no eligible voter should be arbitrarily deleted and no ineligible person unlawfully included. It urged the ECI and concerned authorities to address the allegations through transparent, verifiable and independently scrutinised processes.

The protest formed part of the Congress’ nationwide agitation against Kumar. The party had directed its Pradesh Congress Committees to hold demonstrations at State Election Commission offices on September 25, followed by protests by District Congress Committees at district collectorates on September 28.