JAMMU, Oct 6: Senior leaders of the INDIA Bloc on Tuesday demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging serious irregularities in the electoral process and raising concerns over what they termed “Vote Chori.”
The leaders addressed a press conference at the Congress office at Shaheedi Chowk, Jammu, following a meeting of INDIA Bloc representatives convened to discuss electoral transparency, accountability and the functioning of the Election Commission of India.
The press conference was led by former J&K minister and President of DCC Jammu Urban Yogesh Sawhney and DCC Jammu Rural President Neeraj Kundan. They maintained that free, fair and transparent elections are fundamental to democracy and that allegations concerning electoral manipulation or irregularities must be addressed through clear answers and transparency.
Sawhney said the Election Commission has a constitutional responsibility to ensure that every eligible citizen can exercise their franchise freely and that every vote is protected. He argued that serious questions surrounding the electoral process cannot be dismissed as merely political differences.
“The sanctity of the ballot must be protected at all costs,” Sawhney said, stressing that public confidence in elections is essential for the functioning of democracy. He said the demand for the CEC’s resignation reflected the seriousness of the concerns being raised by the INDIA Bloc.
Neeraj Kundan said political parties and citizens have the right to seek transparency from an institution entrusted with conducting elections. He maintained that any allegations relating to manipulation of votes or electoral irregularities deserve a clear and credible response.
“Our fight is not against any individual voter, officer or institution; it is for the integrity of the democratic process itself,” Kundan said, adding that the INDIA Bloc would continue to raise issues concerning electoral transparency and democratic rights.
The meeting preceding the press conference was attended by Varinder Singh Sonu, PDP District President Jammu Urban; Chander Mohan Sharma, NC District President Jammu Urban; Subash Chander Bhagat, former Corporator and NC District President Jammu Rural; Ganga Ram, NC Vice President Jammu Urban; and Gurman Singh Rana, NC District Secretary Jammu Urban. Congress leaders Jatinder Singh Chib, Sohit Sharma and Happy Randhawa, among others, also participated.
Varinder Singh Sonu said the credibility of democracy depends upon the credibility of the electoral process and called for concerns raised by political parties and citizens to be addressed transparently.
Chander Mohan Sharma said the INDIA Bloc remained united in defending the sanctity of elections and democratic rights, asserting that electoral institutions must function with impartiality and accountability.
The leaders reiterated their demand for greater transparency and accountability in the electoral process and said they would continue to raise the issue of alleged electoral irregularities while seeking to protect public confidence in democratic institutions.