Punjab Congress seeks CEC removal in Chandigarh protest

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Warring demands FIR, arrest over electoral process concerns

Chandigarh, September 25

The Punjab Congress staged a protest march in Chandigarh on Friday, demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, registration of an FIR against him, and his arrest over issues related to the electoral process and voter lists. Led by Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, party leaders and workers marched towards the Election Commission office in Sector 17.

As per the party programme, the protest began at 11 am near the Reserve Bank of India office in Sector 17. Warring sought action against the Chief Election Commissioner and raised concerns over transparency in the election process and preparation of electoral rolls.

The Congress alleged that serious questions had arisen over the transparency of electoral procedures and voter lists. These remained the party’s allegations and demands. At the same time, the Election Commission maintained that it took decisions on its procedures in accordance with the rules and with the consent of all three commissioners.

The party had also been opposing the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Warring demanded that the exercise be suspended until the Assembly elections and that the polls be held based on the previous electoral rolls.

The protest came amid reports of objections raised by Election Commissioners over certain procedures, including the Special Intensive Revision. The Election Commission said technical observations and questions were part of the normal functioning of a multi-member institution. It maintained that all three commissioners had consented to the final decisions related to the revision exercise.

The demonstration was the second major protest by the Punjab Congress since Sachin Pilot took charge as the party’s Punjab in-charge. His appointment aimed to ease differences within the state unit and bring its leaders onto a common platform.

A few days earlier, Pilot had brought senior leaders together during a protest outside the residence of minister Harpal Singh Cheema. However, former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi was absent from Friday’s protest, while several other senior leaders were also seen keeping their distance from the demonstration led by Warring.

The Congress was expected to continue raising its objections to the Special Intensive Revision and other issues related to the electoral process.