Gonda: A group of political workers staged a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in Gonda, burning his effigy near Ambedkar Chauraha, close to the District Magistrate’s office.
According to local party leaders, several leaders and workers in the district had been placed under house arrest amid the protests. Despite the security arrangements, district vice-president Jaichandra Singh, along with Mangli Yadav, Dr Asif Parvez, Vishal Nirbhik, Meraj Ahmad, Sachin Satyendra, Shivam and Aman, reached Ambedkar Chauraha and burnt an effigy of the Chief Election Commissioner while raising slogans demanding that Kumar step down.
The protesters raised the slogan “Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod” and alleged irregularities in the electoral process. Their action was linked to the wider political campaign demanding the resignation of Kumar.
Samajwadi Party leader Suraj Singh praised the workers for the protest and said that while the administration could place leaders and workers under house arrest and deploy police across the district, protests could emerge from unexpected locations.
The demonstration comes amid nationwide political protests and demands for Kumar’s resignation over allegations concerning the Election Commission’s handling of electoral rolls and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. Opposition parties have alleged irregularities and questioned the Election Commission’s functioning, while the Commission has rejected allegations of wrongdoing and maintained that its procedures are lawful.
The controversy has intensified in recent weeks, with two Election Commissioners having formally raised objections on several occasions over decisions and processes related to voter-roll revisions, according to an investigation by The Indian Express. The Commission has said differing views are part of its decision-making process and has maintained that its decisions were taken unanimously.
The protest in Gonda forms part of the broader political mobilisation around demands for greater transparency and accountability in the functioning of the Election Commission.
