Mawkyrwat/Jowai: Demanding the arrest and removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged “vote theft” through Special Intensive Revision (SIR) – 2026, the Congress on Monday held protest rallies in South West Khasi Hills and West Jaintia Hills.
In Mawkyrwat, the District Congress Committee took out a rally and burnt the effigy of the CEC.
Speaking to reporters after the rally, SWKHDCC president Kynpham V Kharlyngdoh alleged that the Election Commission of India was stealing votes to help the BJP win elections.
“Vote theft is happening in Maharashtra, Haryana, West Bengal, Assam where the ECI has helped BJP win. This SIR is against the work culture of the country and against the will of the people,” Kharlyngdoh said.
He alleged that the SIR was aimed at benefiting the BJP alone by deleting votes of opposition supporters. Kharlyngdoh claimed that even two Election Commissioners, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, had opposed the SIR, but CEC Gyanesh Kumar went ahead.
“The Congress demands that the government immediately arrest Gyanesh Kumar and that he should resign as CEC,” he said, warning that the agitation will be intensified if the government does not remove him.
In Jowai, a rally was held from the party office at New Hill through Iawmusiang till Stand War, followed by a public meeting.
Congress District President and MDC Rikut Parien, MDC Madonbai Rymbai, general secretary E. War and Youth Wing president Rishot Thubru led the rally.
Parien alleged that the CEC was trying to deprive rightful voters and enrolling ineligible voters.
Rymbai said the SIR in states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, West Bengal and Assam was unacceptable and alleged duplication of names, including those from outside the country. He called upon other political parties to oppose the move.
War reiterated the demand for immediate arrest and removal of the CEC.
Both committees said the Congress stands with the people whose votes have been deleted without reason.
