Congress Slams Centre Over Bail to Mercenary Matthew VanDyke, Questions Northeast Security

An India Today report highlighted a controversy in Goa regarding the removal of ninety-seven verified voters from the final electoral rolls. When questioned about the discrepancy and follow-up communications with authorities in Delhi, Goa Chief Electoral Officer Sanjay Goel stated that he did not have the names with him and would need to check his records before responding. The interaction followed questions regarding official communication, meeting minutes, and broader discussions concerning functioning and dissent within the Election Commission.

Congress workers staged a vociferous protest in Chandigarh against the Election Commission and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Demonstrators burnt an effigy of Gyanesh Kumar and attempted to march towards the poll panel's office in Sector 17. Chandigarh Police set up strong barricades and deployed water cannons to prevent the marching protesters from advancing. The agitation comes as the Election Commission faces increased scrutiny, sparking political confrontations across Punjab and other states, while the opposition INDIA bloc intensifies coordinated protests and the BJP defends the Chief Election Commissioner.

Congress leaders and workers staged protests across Delhi and nationwide demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Police set up barricades as protesters attempted to march towards the Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters. Party spokespersons raised allegations regarding irregularities in the voter list, changes to Form 6 without parliamentary approval, and internal dissent within the Election Commission where two commissioners reportedly raised multiple objections. The opposition demanded an impeachment motion in Parliament and claimed that democratic electoral procedures were undermined at the behest of the central government.

Nationwide demonstrations have erupted across major Indian cities, including Delhi, Chandigarh, and Patna, as the Congress party and INDIA bloc allies protest against the Chief Election Commissioner and the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision exercise. Police deployed water cannons and set up barricades as demonstrators marched towards political headquarters demanding the resignation and impeachment of the CEC over allegations of voter deletions and election rigging. Protesters accused the central government of orchestrating manipulation of electoral rolls, citing internal dissension where two Election Commissioners reportedly raised objections multiple times over several months. Conversely, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party dismissed the charges as baseless excuses stemming from anti-incumbency, defending the process. The Election Commission maintained that its digital platform remains secure, decentralised, and restricted to authorised personnel via unique credentials to prevent any malicious intervention.