Tension ran high in the capital city today as members of the Youth Congress staged a massive protest, gheraoing the Chief Electoral Officer’s (CEO) office to demand the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
Carrying banners, placards, and shouting anti-CEC slogans, hundreds of party workers assembled outside the CEO’s office. The demonstrators accused the Election Commission of severe irregularities during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process of electoral rolls, claiming that the CEC’s role has been deeply compromised and questionable.
Addressing the gathering, leaders of the Youth Congress alleged that two election commissioners had repeatedly raised written objections against various decisions made over the past ten months. They claimed these vital dissent notes were completely ignored, with the CEC taking unilateral decisions that undermine democratic integrity.
This protest in Odisha is part of a broader nationwide agitation launched by the Congress and opposition parties against the poll panel. Opposition factions across several states have accused the Election Commission of arbitrarily deleting massive numbers of legitimate voters from the rolls, calling it a direct threat to Indian democracy.
Heavy police security was deployed outside the CEO’s office to maintain law and order. As agitated workers attempted to breach the barricades to march closer to the building, security forces intervened to block them. Protesters chanted slogans branding the CEC as the main architect behind what they term “vote theft.”
The unfolding developments have cast a shadow of doubt over the neutrality of the poll body. Opposition leaders are demanding an independent investigation into the SIR process alongside the resignation of the CEC. Meanwhile, the Election Commission has yet to issue an official response regarding today’s demonstrations.
The Youth Congress has warned that if their demands are ignored, they will intensify their protests across the state in the coming days.
