SAMBA, Oct 6: Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Working President Raman Bhalla accompanied by former Minister Yashpal Kundal, former MLA Indu Pawar, Samba District President Sanjeev Sharma ,Mohinder Singh of the National Conference, Ramesh Slathia of the PDP and Uttam Chand of the Panthers Party today led a strong INDIA Bloc protest in Samba against the Election Commission of India (ECI), demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The protest, organised by Congress District President Samba Sanjeev Sharma, brought together leaders and workers of the Congress, National Conference, PDP and Panthers Party. The protesters carried placards and raised slogans against the BJP-led government and the functioning of the Election Commission before taking out a rally through the main markets of Samba.
Led by Bhalla’s address, Mohinder Singh of the National Conference, Ramesh Slathia of the PDP and Uttam Chand of the Panthers Party also addressed the protesters. They supported the demand for accountability of the Election Commission and raised concerns over electoral-roll revisions and the protection of voters’ democratic rights.
Babbal Gupta, Working President Samba; Vijay Bawa, KD Singh, Vinod Kumar, Tirath Bhagat, Rajni, Soudagar Mal, Chander, Raj Khajuria, Pardeep Singh, Master Sadiq, Ismail, Janak Raj and Pritam Singh were also present and addressed the gathering at different points of the protest.
Addressing the gathering, Raman Bhalla said the protest was part of the wider democratic campaign being undertaken by INDIA Block parties across the country over what the opposition describes as serious concerns regarding the conduct of the Election Commission and the integrity of electoral rolls.
He said the demand for accountability of the Chief Election Commissioner had gained momentum among opposition parties following allegations surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The INDIA Block has been demanding greater transparency in the revision process, restoration of names allegedly excluded from electoral rolls and an effective opportunity for voters to appeal against deletion of their names.
Bhalla said the Election Commission is a constitutional institution whose credibility depends upon public confidence and complete transparency in the electoral process. He alleged that opposition parties had repeatedly raised questions over the manner in which voter lists were being revised and sought answers from the Commission on the safeguards available to protect genuine voters.
He maintained that every eligible citizen must be able to exercise the right to vote without fear that his or her name could be removed from the electoral roll without adequate notice, verification and an accessible mechanism of appeal. The INDIA Block has made the issue of electoral-roll revisions a central component of its present campaign against the ECI.
The JKPCC Working President further said that the opposition parties were not opposed to the legitimate updating of electoral rolls, but wanted the exercise to be conducted in a manner that is transparent, verifiable and consistent with constitutional safeguards.
He said the Election Commission must make public the basis on which names are deleted, provide affected voters an opportunity to establish their eligibility and ensure that no genuine voter is excluded from the democratic process. Referring to the wider INDIA Block position, Bhalla said the opposition had also sought restoration of electoral rolls to the position preceding disputed revisions and demanded institutional measures to strengthen confidence in the election machinery.
Bhalla said the INDIA Block would continue to raise the issue through democratic and constitutional means, asserting that electoral transparency cannot be treated as a partisan issue. He pointed out that opposition parties at the national level have already held joint demonstrations and parliamentary protests demanding the removal of Gyanesh Kumar, while also questioning the implementation of SIR and seeking safeguards for voters. On October 6, INDIA Block MPs led a protest march towards the Election Commission headquarters in New Delhi, with the march being stopped by security personnel.
Calling upon people to remain vigilant about their names and details in electoral rolls, Bhalla said political parties and citizens alike have a responsibility to protect the credibility of democratic institutions. He said the present agitation was aimed at drawing attention to what the INDIA Block considers serious electoral concerns and pressing the authorities for answers. He demanded that the Election Commission address the concerns raised by political parties in a transparent manner and restore confidence among voters, adding that the opposition would continue to use peaceful democratic forums to highlight the issue.
Indu Pawar said the Election Commission must ensure complete transparency in the preparation and revision of electoral rolls and address the concerns being raised by opposition parties. She said every eligible citizen must be assured that his or her right to vote is protected and that no genuine voter is excluded from the democratic process.
Yash Pal Kundal said the INDIA Block would continue to raise issues concerning electoral transparency and accountability through peaceful and democratic means. He stressed that the credibility of elections depends upon public confidence in the institutions conducting them and urged the Election Commission to respond transparently to the concerns raised by political parties and voters.
Sanjeev Sharma, Congress District President Samba and organiser of the protest, said the demonstration reflected the collective concern of INDIA Block constituents over the functioning of the Election Commission. He said the Congress would continue to raise issues concerning voters’ rights, electoral-roll transparency and accountability of constitutional institutions through democratic forums.