Congress seeks transparency in functioning of Election Commission

Police douse an effigy of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar after Congress leaders set it on fire during a protest in Vijayawada on Monday. | Photo Credit: K.V.S Giri The Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) staged a protest in Vijayawada on Monday, demanding greater transparency and accountability in the functioning of the Election Commission and documentary clarification on issues relating to electoral rolls and voter registration.The protest was organised in accordance with the directions of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) and a call given by APCC president Y. S. Sharmila Reddy. APCC working presidents J. D. Seelam and Shaik Mastan Vali led the protest.Congress leaders raised questions relating to electoral rolls, deletion of eligible voters, changes in the voter registration process and the functioning of the electoral system, and sought detailed documentary responses from the Election Commission.They demanded the public disclosure of file notings, minutes and Action Taken Reports relating to what they described as 14 objections raised at the level of Election Commissioners. They also sought disclosure of the legal basis and the relevant gazette notification for changes made to Form-6, used for voter registration.“We want an independent audit of ECINET data security and clarification on reports concerning the deletion of voters in Goa,” Mr. Seelam said. He also demanded that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process be kept on hold until an independent review was conducted.The protesters said the Election Commission should place relevant decisions, orders, file notings and the legal basis for its actions in the public domain, arguing that documentary explanations were necessary to address concerns over the electoral process rather than relying solely on public statements.They reiterated their demand for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and sought a comprehensive inquiry into the functioning of the Election Commission.Later, a delegation of Congress leaders met the State Election Commissioner and submitted a memorandum outlining their demands.APCC vice-president Kolanukonda Shivaji, party leaders V. Gurunadham, V. Venkatesh, Nagamadhu Yadav, N. P. Teja Naidu, A. B. Mohammed, Borra Kiran, N. Narasimha Rao, Ambati Ramakrishna, C. Vijay Kumar, S. Annajirao, A. V. V. Raju, S. Nagaraju, Shantha Kumari, M. Vidya Sagar, Kamalakar, D. Ramesh Babu and K. Prabhakara Rao, besides a large number of party leaders and workers, participated in the protest. Published - September 28, 2026 08:45 pm IST