The Mokokchung District Congress Committee (DCC) on October 5 held a ‘Save Democracy’ protest car rally, with participants hoisting black flags and raising slogans demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The rally began at the Public Ground and proceeded through Sewak Gate towards DEF before moving towards Mokokchung Village. Participants raised concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and what the Congress described as the need to safeguard voting rights.
The protest was part of the Congress’ nationwide ‘Save Democracy’ campaign against the Election Commission’s handling of electoral roll revision and other issues concerning the functioning of the poll panel.
The protest came on the same day the Supreme Court heard petitions challenging the functioning and decision-making of the Election Commission under CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, comprising Justices Joymala Bagchi and V Mohana, declined to pass an interim order suspending or restraining Kumar. The Court instead issued notice to the Centre and the Election Commission and sought responses on the issues raised in the petitions.
The petitions allege, among other things, that certain decisions relating to the SIR were taken without the concurrence of the other two Election Commissioners.
During the hearing, the Court also questioned the modified Form 6 used in the electoral roll revision process. CJI Surya Kant said the Supreme Court had not approved the modified form and indicated that the Court wanted to examine the records to determine how the changes were made.
The Court said it would examine the records and responses before deciding on further action, while indicating that any Election Commission decision subsequently found to be contrary to statutory requirements could be subject to judicial intervention.
In Mokokchung, the DCC rally continued with participants carrying black flags and chanting slogans including “Gyanesh Kumar, resign!”, linking the local protest to the wider Congress campaign over electoral rights and the functioning of the poll panel.