Dehradun: The Uttarakhand Congress staged a major protest in Dehradun on Friday over the functioning of the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Led by Pradesh Congress Committee president Ganesh Godiyal, party leaders and workers marched from the Pradesh Congress office to the Secretariat and covered the Election Commission office. During the protest, Congress workers also burnt an effigy of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. A memorandum addressed to the President of India was submitted to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (Sadar), urging the immediate removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and both Election Commissioners. The party also demanded that decisions taken by the Election Commission under the present leadership be reviewed and annulled, and that new officials be appointed to the constitutional body. The protest was organised as part of nationwide programmes called by the All India Congress Committee (AICC). Among those who participated were Uttarakhand Congress in-charge Kumari Selja, Leader of Opposition Yashpal Arya, former Chief Minister Harish Rawat, CWC member Karan Mahara, Deputy Leader of Opposition Bhuvan Kapri, former Assembly Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal, former MP Pradeep Tamta and Disciplinary Committee chairman Vikram Singh Negi, along with several MLAs and senior party leaders. Congress Raises Concerns Over SIR and Electoral Rolls Congress leaders alleged that serious questions have emerged over transparency and accountability in the revision and modification of electoral rolls. The party particularly raised concerns over the process of adding and deleting names from voter lists and the disposal of objections. Congress alleged that opposition parties’ concerns regarding the SIR process were not being adequately addressed by the Election Commission. The Uttarakhand Congress also claimed that complaints had emerged from several Assembly constituencies regarding the filing of a large number of Form 7 applications seeking deletion of voters’ names. The party demanded an investigation into such cases, particularly where individuals were alleged to have filed unusually large numbers of objections. Congress said it should be verified whether such individuals were genuine residents or otherwise actually connected to the constituencies and voters concerned. The party further demanded that no eligible voter’s name be removed solely on the basis of a Form 7 application or objection until proper physical verification is conducted by the Booth Level Officer (BLO) or Electoral Registration Officer (ERO), and the concerned voter is given a full opportunity to be heard. Nine Key Demands Submitted to the President In its memorandum, the Uttarakhand Congress placed a series of demands before the President of India, including the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The party also demanded: Complete transparency and accountability in the revision and modification of electoral rolls. Fair verification and an opportunity for voters to be heard before their names are deleted or objections are acted upon. Time-bound and impartial disposal of election-related complaints and objections raised by political parties. Independent investigation into complaints of alleged bias, pressure or arbitrary action in the electoral process. Greater public disclosure of important data relating to electoral rolls, objections, their disposal and the addition or deletion of names. Safeguards to ensure that no eligible voter is removed from the electoral roll due to political or administrative pressure and that no ineligible person is added in violation of the rules. Institutional reforms and accountability mechanisms to protect the constitutional status, independence and impartiality of the Election Commission. Public disclosure of all Form 7 applications received during the SIR process, including constituency-wise and booth-wise details. Special scrutiny of cases where individuals have submitted an unusually high number of Form 7 applications, including verification of their connection with the concerned voters and areas. Congress also demanded that the authorities ensure that the deletion of any valid voter’s name is preceded by appropriate verification and a reasonable opportunity of hearing. Congress Questions Decision-Making Process Congress leaders alleged that decisions were being taken unilaterally despite differences among members of the Election Commission. The party described this as a matter of concern for the credibility of the electoral process. The Congress maintained that the credibility of a constitutional institution such as the Election Commission depends on public confidence in its independence, transparency and decision-making process. The party said that where questions are raised about the impartiality or functioning of the Commission, those concerns should be addressed through clear and satisfactory explanations and appropriate institutional mechanisms. These allegations and demands were made by the Uttarakhand Congress as part of its protest. The Election Commission’s response to the specific allegations raised by the party was not included in the material provided for this report. Senior Congress Leaders and Workers Participate Many state Congress office-bearers, former MLAs, district and city-level leaders, and party workers were present at the protest, including MLAs Mamta Rakesh, Furkan Ahmed, Lakhpat Butola, and Ravi Bahadur; former ministers and MLAs Shurveer Singh Sajwan, Ranjit Rawat, Om Gopal Rawat, and Lalit Farswan; State Vice President Suryakant Dhasmana; State General Secretary (Organization) Rajendra Bhandari; General Secretary Ashwini Bahuguna; Media Chairman and Vice President Rajiv Maharshi; Sujata Paul; Lalchand Sharma; Treasurer Godavari Thapli; Social Media Chairman Abhinav Thapar; Sanjay Kanojia; Aryendra Sharma; Seva Dal President Hema Purohit; and former MLA Jot Singh Gunsola. A large number of district, city and frontal organisation office bearers, former legislators and party workers also participated in the demonstration. The Congress said the protest was aimed at highlighting what it described as concerns over electoral transparency, voter-list revisions and the functioning of the Election Commission, and urged the President to take appropriate constitutional and legal action on the issues raised by the party.
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