Left parties stage protest against CEC in Hassan, demand his removal

Activists of the CPI(M) and CPI staged a protest in Hassan on Saturday, demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and a halt to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, in the wake of recent reports suggesting unilateral decision-making by him with regard to the SIR process.

The protesters, gathered at the Hemavathi Statue Circle in Hassan, raised slogans against the CEC. They alleged that Gyanesh Kumar unilaterally altered Form-6, meant for enrolling fresh voters, disregarding objections raised by two of the three Election Commissioners. The two commissioners are reported to have raised objections on at least 14 occasions over decisions relating to voter registration and the deletion and restoration of names as part of the SIR exercise.

Left party leaders said Gyanesh Kumar should be held responsible for mismanaging the institution and eroding public confidence in it. They demanded his removal from the post, an immediate halt to the SIR process, and restoration of the Election Commission of India’s independent and democratic functioning.

CPI(M) leaders Dharmesh and H.R. Naveen Kumar, CPI leaders Dharmaraj and M.C. Dongre, and leaders of progressive groups including Vijay Kumar Dandora, Mubashir Ahmed and Harish Katte, among others, took part in the protest.