INDIA bloc to hold rally demanding CEC's removal on Nov 1; at least 10 lakh people expected to participate: Congress

The Congress will strongly reiterate its demand for the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at the INDIA bloc’s rally in Delhi on November 1, Haryana Congress in-charge Sanjay Dutt and state unit president Rao Narendra Singh said on Saturday, according to reports.

The leaders emphasised that maintaining the integrity of electoral rolls, ensuring transparency in the electoral process and safeguarding every eligible citizen’s right to vote were essential to the country’s democracy. They asserted that the Congress would not compromise on these principles.

Dutt and Singh said the Congress’s nationwide ‘Vote Bachao Desh Bachao’ campaign had reached a crucial stage, with preparations being stepped up across Haryana to expand its reach to every district, block, village and polling booth.

According to reports, party workers have been instructed to document alleged irregularities in electoral rolls, raise awareness about eligible voters’ rights and mobilise a large contingent from Haryana for the November 1 rally.

The INDIA bloc’s rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan is being projected as the culmination of the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march against alleged irregularities in the Election Commission’s functioning and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The Congress has said that at least 10 lakh people are expected to participate in the march to protest what it describes as ‘vote chori’. The party added that the rally would convey a strong message of unity in defence of democracy and the Constitution.

Dutt described the ‘Vote Bachao Desh Bachao’ rally as part of a nationwide movement to safeguard citizens’ voting rights, strengthen democratic institutions and hold the BJP government accountable.

Dutt and Singh said concerns over the alleged lack of impartiality in the electoral process could not be adequately addressed while Gyanesh Kumar remained in office, asserting that his removal was necessary.

They further stated that if an investigation established his involvement in undermining the democratic system or violating the law, appropriate legal action, including arrest, should be taken.

Dutt questioned the Chief Election Commissioner’s role, stating that the Election Commission had a constitutional duty to ensure transparency and impartiality in the electoral process. He stressed that concerns regarding the potential removal of eligible voters’ names and discrepancies reported during the revision of electoral rolls required serious consideration.