Sonam Wangchuk backs Oct 2 CJP protest seeking accountability from Chief Election Commissioner

Activist Sonam Wangchuk has extended support to the Cockroach Janta Party’s proposed protest on Oct 2, which seeks accountability from Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Wangchuk said efforts to strengthen accountability in the country and improve the electoral process deserved support. However, he indicated that he may not physically participate in the protest, saying movements should be able to continue independently without depending on his presence.

He said there were now several people taking up the issue concerning the Election Commission and that he was pleased to see wider participation.

Wangchuk said the electoral process was an important requirement for a democratic country and needed to be strengthened. He also said that commitments made by governments should be fulfilled.

Referring to Ladakh’s demand for protections under the Sixth Schedule, Wangchuk said promises made to the region should be honoured.

He also said he supported organisations, political parties and politicians working towards justice and accountability, including those within the ruling BJP.

The CJP has announced that its protest will begin in Mumbai on Oct 2 as part of its campaign seeking accountability from the Election Commission. Wangchuk said the date was significant because it marks the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and is associated with peaceful protest movements.

His remarks come amid a controversy over the functioning of the Election Commission.

An investigation by The Indian Express reported that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had formally raised objections at least 14 times over 10 months to decisions and orders they said were taken without their knowledge.

Their concerns covered several aspects of the electoral process, including changes to the Form 6 used for new voter registration, the deletion and restoration of names from electoral rolls, appeals against orders restoring voters and access to the electoral-roll database.

The two commissioners also raised concerns about what they described as the gradual centralisation of access to voter data through the Election Commission’s IT systems.

The Election Commission has said that decisions concerning the SIR received the unanimous approval of all three commissioners.

The poll panel has also announced measures to assist voters who receive notices during the revision process. These include home visits by Booth Level Officers in cases involving unmapped electors and certain discrepancies, with such voters generally not required to appear personally for hearings.

Opposition parties have also raised concerns over the Election Commission's functioning in the context of the SIR. INDIA bloc parties are expected to meet in Delhi on Sep 30 to discuss their response.