New Delhi/Mumbai. On Friday, Gandhi Jayanti, there were protests in Delhi and Mumbai over the functioning of the Election Commission and the special intensive revision of voter lists. Police detained more than 700 people during the demonstration by various organizations including Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi. Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) demonstrated in Mumbai's Shivaji Park demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Aam Aadmi Party leaders and workers protested in Delhi's Jantar Mantar area over alleged irregularities and deletion of names in the voter list. Many leaders including former Chief Minister Atishi, Saurabh Bhardwaj, Sanjeev Jha and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh were detained by the police. According to the police, security arrangements were tightened as there was no permission for the demonstration.
The protesters raised questions over the special intensive vetting and alleged deletion of a large number of names from the voter list and demanded the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner. On the other hand, the Election Commission says that the revision of the voter list is being done as per the prescribed procedure.
CJP's demonstration in Mumbai
A large number of people participated in the demonstration organized by CJP in Mumbai's Shivaji Park. The organization raised issues of change in voter list and transparency in the electoral process and demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The program was organized despite the police not giving permission for the demonstration. Extensive security arrangements were made at the spot.
The protesters carried the tricolor and demanded transparency and accountability in the electoral process. Youth and common citizens also joined the CJP movement. The organization called it a public awareness campaign on issues related to voter rights.
Claims regarding special intensive review
Regarding the special intensive revision, opposition parties and other organizations have expressed apprehension that the names of eligible voters will be removed from the voter list. At the same time, the Election Commission has said that the voter list will be revised as per the prescribed procedure. The political debate is intense regarding the revision of voter list, the process of adding and removing names and the transparency related to it.
The protests in Delhi and Mumbai have once again brought issues related to the electoral process, revision of electoral rolls and accountability of the Election Commission to the center of public debate.