Manipur Congress storms CEO office, demands immediate arrest of CEC Gyanesh Kumar

The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) on September 25 held a protest in Imphal demanding the arrest and removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, as part of the Congress's nationwide agitation against the poll panel chief.

Congress workers marched towards the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Manipur, at Lamphelpat and attempted to enter the premises. The demonstration led to a confrontation with security personnel, following which security forces fired tear gas shells to disperse the protesters.

The protest was held in response to the Congress's nationwide call for demonstrations outside state election offices. The party has sought Kumar's removal and an independent review of decisions and changes made to electoral rolls during his tenure.

Addressing the gathering, MPCC president and senior Congress leader Okram Ibobi Singh questioned the functioning of the Election Commission and the decision-making process within the three-member panel.

Ibobi referred to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's allegations of "vote chori" and said the issue had gained renewed attention following reports of differences among members of the Election Commission.

He alleged that key decisions were being taken by the CEC despite the Election Commission having three members, and claimed that the other two Election Commissioners had raised objections to some decisions.

"The protection of democracy cannot be ignored," Ibobi said, while demanding Kumar's arrest and removal.

The Election Commission, however, has rejected reports suggesting a split within the poll panel. It has maintained that differing views expressed during internal deliberations are part of the functioning of a multi-member body and that decisions, including those concerning the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, were ultimately taken unanimously.

The controversy followed reports that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections on several occasions over issues linked to electoral-roll revisions, voter deletions and data handling. The Election Commission has said such observations did not amount to disagreement with its final decisions.

The Congress has also announced a second phase of protests at district collectorates on September 28.