The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) staged a protest at the Election Secretariat, Kohima, on September 25 as part of the nationwide protest called by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, raising concerns over the functioning of the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the controversy surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The protest was led by NPCC president and Lok Sabha MP S Supongmeren Jamir, who said the right to vote is one of the most fundamental democratic rights of every Indian citizen and that an institution entrusted with protecting the electoral process should not act in a manner that raises doubts about its independence, transparency or impartiality.
The NPCC expressed concern over reports of objections within the Election Commission regarding decisions connected with the revision of electoral rolls. It maintained that such serious questions cannot be brushed aside and must be answered transparently before the people.
Recent reports have alleged that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections on several occasions over decisions relating to electoral rolls, including the SIR process. However, the Election Commission has maintained that recent decisions and orders were taken unanimously.
Jamir reiterated that the Election Commission is a constitutional institution and must function independently, impartially and in accordance with the Constitution, “without fear or favour”. He said public confidence in the electoral system was indispensable to the survival of democracy.
Joining the nationwide call of the Indian National Congress, the NPCC demanded the resignation or removal of Kumar and appropriate legal action following an independent investigation into allegations surrounding electoral-roll decisions made during his tenure. Congress has also called for a comprehensive and independent review of relevant electoral-roll changes.
The NPCC further stated that allegations which Congress has characterised as an attack on citizens’ voting rights and as acts amounting to “treason against the people of India” should be investigated in accordance with law, with accountability fixed on anyone found responsible.
Jamir said the vote belongs to the people and that no individual, authority or institution has the right to undermine the mandate of the people. “We will continue to stand in defence of the Constitution, democracy and the voting rights of every citizen,” he said.
The party said it remains committed to safeguarding free and fair elections and would continue to raise its voice democratically whenever the constitutional and electoral rights of citizens are at stake.
The September 25 protest was part of Congress demonstrations held across the country demanding Kumar’s resignation or removal amid the ongoing SIR controversy.