Imphal: Security forces deployed tear gas shells on Friday to disperse Congress protesters who set fire to an effigy of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar near the Chief Electoral Officer’s premises in Lamphelpat in Manipur’s Imphal West.
The police action followed clashes during a demonstration organized by the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee as part of a nationwide agitation against the poll panel chief.
Protesters carried placards demanding the immediate arrest and prosecution of the Chief Election Commissioner.
The demonstration escalated when Congress workers marched toward the state election office and attempted to enter the complex, leading to a confrontation with security personnel.
The Congress party has demanded the removal of the Chief Election Commissioner and called for an independent review of all decisions and electoral roll changes made during his tenure.
Addressing the gathering, state Congress president and former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh questioned the functioning of the three-member election panel.
Referencing party leader Rahul Gandhi’s previous allegations regarding electoral integrity, Singh claimed that key decisions were being made unilaterally by the head of the panel despite objections from the other two commissioners.
The Election Commission has rejected all reports of an internal split, clarifying that differing views during internal deliberations are standard for a multi-member body.
The commission maintained that final decisions, including those regarding the intensive revision of electoral rolls, were made unanimously and that initial observations did not constitute final disagreement.
The Congress has announced a second phase of demonstrations across district collectorates on September 28.