Congress Demands Election Resignation
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge Reiterates Three Core Election Commission Demands
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Key Points
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The Indian Express report cited by the articles said election commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had objected on record at least 14 times over 10 months to SIR-related decisions they said were made without their knowledge or recommendation.
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Protests near Jantar Mantar on October 3 were organised by AISA and other groups. Several demonstrators, including AISA president Neha Bora and senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Prashant Bhushan, attempted to breach police barricades.
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Police said protesters were warned to leave because prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita were in force, and were detained after refusing to comply.
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Kharge framed the alleged harassment of female journalists as evidence that the “dictator is extremely panicked” and warned of another chapter of what he called “distraction tactics.”
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge laid down three demands he called non-negotiable: the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, cancellation of a voter roll revision process called SIR, and a return to paper ballots. Deccan Chronicle reported that Kharge said the Congress party and allied groups are organizing nationwide protests around these demands.
The demands come after two election commissioners publicly objected to decisions on the revision process over a 10-month period. The Indian Express reported that commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi raised objections at least 14 times to moves they said were made without their knowledge or approval.
Election Commission's Revision Process Under Fire
The Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls — known as SIR — has become the flashpoint in a larger dispute over how India runs elections. Business Standard reported that Kharge is demanding the entire process be scrapped. The two commissioners' objections suggest internal disagreement about how the revision was being handled and approved.
Paper Ballots as Symbol of Electoral Integrity
Kharge's call to abandon electronic voting machines marks a significant shift in the opposition's messaging. ABP Live noted that returning to paper ballots is one of three core demands framing the broader election integrity debate. The demand reflects concerns about the transparency and verifiability of the current electronic system used across India.
Protests Escalate Across the Country
Congress and its INDIA bloc allies have mobilized supporters, civil society groups, and youth organizations for nationwide demonstrations. Daily Hunt reported that protests have been organized in multiple locations. On October 3, activists near Jantar Mantar, including AISA president Neha Bora and senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Prashant Bhushan, attempted to breach police barricades and were detained for refusing to leave.
Kharge Accuses BJP of Journalist Harassment
Beyond election issues, Kharge condemned what he described as the BJP's targeted harassment of female journalists in Delhi. Economic Times reported his framing of these incidents as evidence that the government is "extremely panicked." Kharge warned that such tactics represent another chapter in what he calls the ruling party's "distraction strategies" from core electoral concerns.
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