The security arrangements for Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar have been Importantly strengthened across multiple locations, ranging from Agra to the national capital, Delhi. This decision by the central government comes in the wake of escalating nationwide protests directed at the Election Commission's ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. Following a comprehensive security assessment, authorities have decided to fortify the existing protection layers surrounding the CEC to ensure his safety and the smooth functioning of the electoral body.
Enhanced Deployment of Paramilitary Forces
According to officials familiar with the security protocols, the Chief Election Commissioner already possessed a high level of security clearance. However, based on a fresh evaluation of the current situation and potential threats, additional personnel from various paramilitary forces are being integrated into his security detail, while the expansion of security isn't limited to his person but extends to key institutional and residential locations.
At the Election Commission of India headquarters, known as Nirvachan Sadan, the security presence has been visibly increased. Within the premises, the deployment of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has been augmented to monitor internal movements and secure the core office areas, while outside the headquarters, a multi-layered security ring has been established involving personnel from the Rapid Action Force (RAF), the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and the Delhi Police. These forces are tasked with managing crowds and preventing any unauthorized entry or disruption near the commission's main office.
Protests Reach Ancestral Home in Agra
The intensity of the opposition to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) has not been confined to Delhi alone. The protests reached the ancestral residence of CEC Gyanesh Kumar located in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. On September 28, a group of Congress workers organized a demonstration outside his family home in the Vijay Nagar area of the city. During this protest, the situation escalated as offensive slogans were reportedly written on the main gate and the walls of the property.
In response to this incident, the local police registered a formal case and conducted several arrests to maintain law and order. Following the breach at the Agra residence, security agencies have heightened their vigilance and increased the number of guards stationed at the ancestral property to prevent any further untoward incidents or vandalism.
Rising Political Opposition and Resignation Demands
The backdrop of these security measures is the growing friction between the Election Commission and various political entities, while opposition parties, particularly the Congress and members of the INDIA block, have been vocal in their criticism of the SIR and the overall functioning of the Election Commission. These groups have been demanding the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner, alleging irregularities and bias in the revision process.
The protests reached a peak on October 7, when several opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) attempted to lead a march toward the Election Commission headquarters in Delhi. The march was intercepted by security forces, and several prominent leaders were taken into custody, while the persistent nature of these demonstrations, coupled with the fact that protesters have targeted the CEC's private and ancestral residences, prompted security agencies to conduct a new threat assessment, leading to the current reinforcement of his security apparatus.