DIMAPUR: District Congress Committees (DCCs) in Dimapur, Mokokchung, Wokha, Peren, Longleng, Noklak and Tuensang staged protests on Monday against what the party described as the arbitrary functioning of chief election commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
According to NPCC communications department, the protests were part of the Indian National Congress’ nationwide programme seeking greater accountability from the Election Commission of India (ECI) and raising concerns over decisions relating to electoral rolls and the SIR exercise.
DCCs demanded Kumar’s resignation and removal from office, besides an independent review of decisions and electoral-roll changes taken during his tenure. They said any allegations of wrongdoing should be examined through established legal processes and responsibility fixed wherever violations were established.
The Congress units said the right to vote was fundamental to India’s democratic system and maintained that electoral processes must be transparent, impartial and accountable. They also expressed concern that the actions in question could undermine public confidence in the independence and credibility of the electoral process.
The protests in Nagaland followed similar demonstrations organised by the Congress in several parts of the country on September 25, when party workers called for Kumar’s resignation and removal.
Mokokchung DCC burns CEC effigy, raises local issues: Mokokchung District Congress Committee (DCC) staged a protest by burning an effigy of CEC Gyanesh Kumar over the SIR exercise. DCC members, including women and youth workers, took part in the demonstration along with PCC member Toshipokla.
Carrying placards and raising slogans, the protesters demanded the withdrawal of SIR. Some placards read “We demand complete withdrawal of SIR”, “Go Gyanesh Save Democracy” and “CEC+BJP + Vote Chori”.
At a subsequent press briefing at the DCC office, party officials alleged that Kumar was acting in alignment with BJP and claimed that SIR exercise was intended to provide political advantage to the ruling party. They also questioned the BJP’s continued silence on the exercise.
DCC said Monday’s protest was only the first step and that it would continue to press for Kumar’s resignation, while asserting that citizens must be able to exercise their franchise and choose their representatives freely.
On the proposed multi-purpose hall at Mangkolemba, DCC said the matter should be thoroughly investigated. It demanded that the facility be established at Mangkolemba rather than at a private residence of Minister Temjen Imna Along at Longtho.
DCC also questioned the silence of the elected representative of 29 Jangpetkong Assembly Constituency, under which Mangkolemba falls, and demanded Along’s resignation on moral grounds.
On the reported absence of an EAC at Longchem under Mangkolemba subdivision, DCC said the administrative headquarters’ location along the border made the presence of an administrative officer particularly important. It alleged that the officer was frequently unavailable at the station, causing difficulties for residents.
The party cited the impact of a natural calamity several months ago, saying the absence of the administrative officer had compounded the difficulties faced by residents. It said the local Congress unit had already raised the matter with the state chief secretary but expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of action, warning that further steps would be taken if there was no response.
