Cong demands removal of CEC
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 25 2026: A team of Congress leaders and workers led by former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh marched towards the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) at Lamphelpat today, demanding legal action against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.The protest was part of the Congress's Nationwide agitation demanding the removal and arrest of the CEC.

The team, which included Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee president Okram Ibobi Singh, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader K Meghachandra Singh, MLAs K Ranjit and O Surjakumar, Congress Working Committee (CWC) member Gaikhangam, former MP Dr T Meinya and former Ministers and MLAs, marched towards the CEO office carrying placards bearing slogans such as "Remove CEC", "Save Democracy" and "Arrest CEC" among others.

Cong demands removal of CEC

The protesters were stopped by police near the gate of the Imphal West Deputy Commissioner's office, resulting in a heated altercation between the protesters and police personnel.

Amid the commotion, Youth Congress workers attempted to burn an effigy of the CEC in front of the DC office.

Police tried to snatch the effigy, leading to another altercation.

The Youth Congress workers subsequently burnt the effigy while raising slogans against the CEC .

Police attempted to douse the flames, following which the protesters took away the water containers and threw them aside.

Police then fired tear gas shells to disperse the protesters.

Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the protest, Ibobi said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had been raising concerns over alleged violations of Constitutional provisions by the Election Commission.

Ibobi alleged that CEC Gyanesh Kumar had been involved in electoral irregularities over the past three years by allegedly adding and removing voters fraudulently without the consent of the other two Election Commissioners.

He demanded the immediate removal of Kumar and legal action against him, alleging violations of the rules governing the Election Commission.

Ibobi further said that the democratic system in India could not function effectively as long as Gyanesh Kumar remains the CEC .

He said that the CEC must be arrested and penalised for his wrongdoings.

Ibobi also alleged that the BJP has been using Gyanesh Kumar to manipulate elections.