Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC), led by its President and Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), S Supongmeren Jamir held a protest on September 25 at the Election Secretariat, Kohima, as part of the nationwide protest called by the AICC against Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar.
Addressing the gathering, Jamir expressed serious concern over the functioning of the Election Commission of India and the controversy surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. He stressed that the right to vote is one of the most fundamental democratic rights of every Indian citizen and that no institution entrusted with protecting the electoral process should act in a manner that creates doubt about its independence, transparency or impartiality.
The NPCC raised concern over reports of objections within the Election Commission regarding decisions connected with the revision of electoral rolls. The party maintained that such serious questions cannot simply be brushed aside and must be answered transparently before the people of India.
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Jamir reiterated that the Election Commission is a constitutional institution and must function independently, impartially and in accordance with the Constitution, without fear or favour. The confidence of citizens in the electoral system, he said, is indispensable to the survival of democracy.
The NPCC, joining the nationwide call of the Indian National Congress, demanded the resignation/removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and appropriate legal action following an independent investigation into the allegations surrounding electoral-roll decisions made during his tenure. The Congress has also called for a comprehensive and independent review of the relevant electoral-roll changes.
The NPCC further stated that allegations which the Congress has characterised as an attack on the voting rights of citizens and as acts amounting to “treason against the people of India” must be investigated in accordance with law, with accountability fixed on anyone found responsible.
“The vote belongs to the people. No individual, authority or institution has the right to undermine the mandate of the people. We will continue to stand in defence of the Constitution, democracy and the voting rights of every citizen,” Jamir said in substance while addressing the protest.
The NPCC expressed its commitment to safeguarding free and fair elections and will continue to democratically raise its voice whenever the constitutional and electoral rights of the people are at stake.
