Guwahati, 25 September (HS): The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) on Friday staged a protest in Guwahati demanding the removal and arrest of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging irregularities in the electoral process and raising allegations of “vote theft”.

The protest was organised at Rajiv Bhawan as part of a nationwide demonstration by the Congress. Several senior Congress leaders, including APCC President and Lok Sabha Deputy Leader of Opposition Gaurav Gogoi, along with hundreds of party workers from different parts of Assam, participated in the demonstration.

The protesters carried placards and banners and raised slogans against the government and the Election Commission, questioning the neutrality of the poll body. The demonstration later led to a confrontation between protesters and police.

Gaurav Gogoi said that free and impartial elections were the foundation of democracy. He alleged that the electoral process under the current Chief Election Commissioner had created an atmosphere of “vote theft” and manipulation, which, he claimed, posed a threat to the Constitution.

Police detained Gaurav Gogoi and several other senior Congress leaders and workers during the protest. They were reportedly taken to the camp of the 10th Assam Police Battalion at Kahilipara.

The protesters demanded immediate government and legal action against Gyanesh Kumar and called for his resignation or disciplinary action at the national level.----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash