JAMMU, Sep 28: The District Congress Committee (DCC) Jammu Urban and DCC Jammu Rural staged a protest at Shaheedi Chowk, Jammu, on Monday over allegations concerning electoral irregularities and what Congress leaders described as the issue of “Vote Chori”. The protesters subsequently attempted to march towards the Deputy Commissioner’s office, raising slogans and carrying placards demanding transparency and accountability in the electoral process. Local reports said police stopped the march.
The demonstration was led by DCC Jammu Urban President and former minister Yogesh Sawhney and DCC Jammu Rural President Neeraj Kundan, and was presided over by J&K Pradesh Congress Committee Working President Raman Bhalla and former minister Mula Ram. Senior Congress leaders and party workers participated in the protest.
Addressing the gathering, Raman Bhalla said the Election Commission of India (ECI) has a constitutional responsibility to conduct elections and maintain the integrity of the electoral process. He said concerns relating to electoral rolls and election procedures should be examined through transparent and verifiable mechanisms.
Bhalla emphasised that public confidence is an important component of the electoral system and called for the Election Commission to provide factual responses to concerns raised by political parties and citizens. The ECI describes itself as an autonomous constitutional authority responsible for administering elections in India.
Yogesh Sawhney demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging serious concerns regarding the electoral process. He referred to allegations of “Vote Chori” raised by Congress leaders and demanded action from the Election Commission and the Union Government.
Sawhney also called for the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, holding the Union Government politically responsible for the concerns raised by his party. These statements represent the political position and allegations of the Congress and are not established findings against the individuals named.
Neeraj Kundan said the protest reflected the Congress demand for transparency, accountability and protection of democratic institutions. He said every eligible voter should be able to verify their inclusion in the electoral roll and that complaints concerning voter registration and electoral procedures should be addressed through established mechanisms.
The Election Commission currently provides online facilities for voters to search their names in electoral rolls, check application status and update electoral details. Its voter services portal also provides access to the 2026 Special Intensive Revision-related electoral-roll services.
The protest comes amid a wider political dispute over the functioning of the Election Commission and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Congress legislators had also protested against Gyanesh Kumar inside the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on September 25, demanding his removal, while the Speaker directed the protesting members to return to their seats.
The Election Commission’s official records identify Gyanesh Kumar as the Chief Election Commissioner of India, a position he assumed in February 2025.
Among those who participated in Monday’s protest were Raman Bhalla, Mula Ram, Yogesh Sawhney, Neeraj Kundan, T.S. Tony, Kanta Bhan, NSUI president Ajay Lakhotra, Satish Sharma, Prem Sharma, Suman Wazir, Raj Kumar Sodhi, Atul Sharma, Varinder Manhas, Amrit Bali, Sanjeev Panda, Rajesh Sharma, Sohit Sharma, Rajveer Singh, Suresh Dogra, Jatin Vashisht, Anuradha Sharma and several other party functionaries and workers.
The Congress reiterated that it would continue raising concerns over electoral transparency and urged the Election Commission to address allegations and public concerns through verifiable information, institutional procedures and greater transparency.