Congress party rallies in New Delhi demanding Chief Election Commissioner's removal

Congress has announced a mass rally that will march from New Delhi’s Parliament Square to the Supreme Court in New Delhi on Thursday, demanding the removal of the Chief Election Commissioner. The protest, organised by the main opposition Congress party, will take place after the 2024 general elections, during which the ruling party’s campaign was accused of “vote theft” by opposition groups and civil society activists. The march is slated to begin at 10 a.m. and is expected to draw tens of thousands of supporters, many of whom will carry banners that read “End Vote Theft” and “Justice for All”.

The call for a protest comes amid growing criticism of the Election Commission’s handling of the polls. Allegations of irregularities—such as tampered voter rolls, misuse of electronic voting machines, and the alleged exclusion of certain voter groups—have been raised by opposition leaders and independent observers. The Congress party claims that the commission’s decisions, particularly the appointment of the chief election commissioner, were influenced by the ruling party, undermining the integrity of the electoral process. This dispute comes at a time when India’s democratic institutions are under intense scrutiny both domestically and internationally.

Supporters of the march say they will hold signs and chant slogans while walking past the Supreme Court’s gates. The ruling party has warned that the protest could lead to police intervention if it disrupts traffic or causes civil unrest. The Supreme Court, which has the power to adjudicate disputes over election conduct, has yet to respond to the Congress’s demand. Legal experts say that a removal of the chief election commissioner would require a formal petition and a thorough investigation, which could take months. The protest is expected to be televised and streamed online, drawing attention from international media and human rights groups.

If the march proceeds as planned, it could spark a larger debate about electoral reforms and the independence of the Election Commission. The Supreme Court may be called upon to examine the allegations and decide whether the chief election commissioner’s removal is justified. The outcome will have lasting implications for India’s democratic processes, potentially influencing how future elections are conducted and how the public perceives the fairness of the system. The protest, therefore, is more than a demonstration; it is a call for accountability in one of the world’s largest democracies.