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Election Commission row reaches J&K Assembly as Congress MLAs protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar. (Img: Dynamite News)
Srinagar: The ongoing controversy surrounding the Election Commission of India reached the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Friday, triggering a major political clash as Congress MLAs staged a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and demanded his resignation.
The protest unfolded shortly after the Assembly proceedings began, with Congress legislators entering the House carrying banners and raising slogans over issues related to electoral transparency, voter lists and the functioning of the country’s top election body.
The demonstration turned the Assembly into a scene of political confrontation as opposition members attempted to highlight their concerns over the Election Commission’s electoral roll revision process. The issue has gained attention amid allegations and debates surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists and the decision-making process within the poll panel.
Congress MLAs Nizamuddin Bhat, Irfan Hafiz Lone and Iftikhar Ahmad were among the legislators who participated in the protest. The lawmakers displayed banners carrying messages related to protecting voting rights and demanded action against the Chief Election Commissioner.
The protest created disruption during the initial proceedings of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly. Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather objected to the use of banners inside the House and asked the legislators to remove them.
He also reminded the protesting members that the Election Commission of India is an independent constitutional authority and does not come under the control of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly. After repeated warnings from the Speaker, the Congress legislators returned to their seats and the Question Hour continued as scheduled.
The political controversy surrounding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has intensified following concerns raised by opposition parties over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
The debate has focused on issues including changes in voter registration procedures, additions and deletions from electoral lists, modifications in voter forms and the management of electoral roll databases.
Reports have also highlighted internal observations by Election Commissioners regarding certain decisions connected with the electoral roll revision exercise. These developments have triggered a wider discussion over transparency, institutional decision-making and the functioning of the Election Commission.
The Election Commission of India has maintained that differences of opinion, discussions and written observations among Election Commissioners are part of the internal consultation process of any institution.
The poll panel has stated that decisions taken by the commission follow legal procedures and have statutory approval. It has also maintained that suggestions from commissioners and officials are part of efforts to improve the electoral system.
The protest in Jammu and Kashmir Assembly is part of a broader political campaign by Congress and other opposition groups over the Election Commission issue.
Earlier, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) also raised demands for Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and announced plans for nationwide demonstrations if its demands were not addressed. The group questioned the transparency of the electoral roll revision process.
The developments have added fresh momentum to the national debate over election reforms, voter registration systems and the independence of constitutional institutions.
With political parties continuing to raise questions over the electoral roll revision process, the Election Commission is likely to remain under scrutiny from opposition groups.
Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly session will continue until September 30, with discussions scheduled on several public issues, including employment policies, regularisation of workers, infrastructure projects, land allocation and restoration of water resources.
The latest confrontation inside the Assembly highlights how election-related issues have become a major political flashpoint ahead of future electoral battles.
