States » NorthPosted at: Oct 18 2026 5:40PM


Congress demands return to ballot papers, burns CEC effigies in Haryana protests

Panchkula, Oct 18 (UNI) Congress workers burn effigies of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar during protests in Tosham and Hansi on Sunday, as the party intensified its ‘Vote Bachao–Desh Bachao’ campaign in Haryana and demanded a return to ballot-paper elections to address concerns over electoral transparency.
Haryana Congress in-charge Sanjay Dutt challenged the BJP-led government to conduct elections through ballot papers, saying the Congress would respect the mandate delivered through a free and fair electoral process.
The protests, attended by hundreds of party workers, according to a Congress statement, were part of its nationwide campaign over alleged irregularities in electoral processes and concerns about the integrity of voter lists.
Reacting to Haryana BJP president Archana Gupta's description of the campaign as a political drama, Dutt questioned why the ruling party was opposing demands for greater electoral transparency.
"If the BJP believes the electoral process is completely fair and there are no irregularities in voter lists, it should ensure free and fair elections instead of discrediting those raising questions," Dutt said.
He maintained that the Congress was seeking the restoration of ballot-paper voting to strengthen public confidence in elections.
"The Congress will respect the mandate of any government elected through free and fair elections," he said, adding that the party would take its campaign to villages and blocks across Haryana.
Congress state president Rao Narender Singh accused the BJP of attempting to dismiss legitimate questions about electoral transparency instead of addressing them.
He said concerns over voter lists and the conduct of elections should be examined impartially to safeguard public confidence in democratic institutions.
"The Election Commission has a constitutional responsibility to protect every citizen's voting rights. Questions concerning voter lists and electoral procedures must be addressed through transparent and impartial scrutiny," Singh said.
He described the BJP's criticism of the campaign as a sign of "political frustration" and asserted that the Congress would continue raising issues concerning voting rights and institutional accountability.
The Congress leaders' allegations about electoral irregularities were not accompanied by specific evidence in the party's statement.
The protests also brought farmers' difficulties and youth employment into focus, with Singh accusing the Haryana government of failing to address problems faced by farmers in selling their produce at procurement markets.
He alleged that farmers were being forced to move between mandis to sell their crops and demanded measures to ensure remunerative prices and smoother procurement.
Singh also questioned the Agniveer recruitment scheme, arguing that its limited service tenure had created uncertainty among young people aspiring to join the armed forces.
He said Haryana had a longstanding tradition of military service and that the government must address concerns over employment prospects and financial security after completion of service under the scheme.
"The government must take the concerns of young people and their families seriously and provide answers on their future security," Singh said.
The Congress would continue its campaign over farmers' rights, employment opportunities, electoral transparency and constitutional safeguards, he added.
At Tosham, the demonstration was attended by Congress leaders Varun Mullana, Anirudh Chaudhary, Pradeep Gulia, former MLA Shiv Shankar Bhardwaj and former AICC general secretary Pradeep Narwal, among others.
In Hansi, Dutt joined the protest along with MP Jai Prakash, district Congress president Braj Lal, MLAs Chander Prakash, Naresh Selwal and Jassi Petwar, and other party functionaries.
Congress workers raised slogans against the CEC and burnt symbolic effigies during the demonstrations.
The party said the campaign would continue at the grassroots level, linking its demands for electoral transparency with concerns over farmers' welfare and employment opportunities for young people.
UNI KK ATP ARN
Tags: #Congress demands return to ballot papers# burns CEC effigies in Haryana protests
More News

Haryana to procure paddy above prescribed yield limit, resolve claims in 48 hours: Shyam Singh Rana

18 Oct 2026 | 6:23 PM

Sirsa, Oct 18 (UNI) Haryana Agriculture Minister Shyam Singh Rana, on Sunday, said paddy exceeding the prescribed average yield would also be procured, with farmers required to submit written claims to market committee secretaries for resolution within 48 hours.

see more..

Akhilesh Yadav ask party cadre to be vigilant against BJP's conspiracy

18 Oct 2026 | 6:15 PM

Lucknow, Oct 18 (UNI) Samajwadi Party National President Akhilesh Yadav has asked all party workers to remain vigilant at their respective polling booths as the BJP is conspiring to create fake votes.

see more..

Haryana: Four-day Surajkund Diwali Mela from Oct 23; 300 craft stalls, cultural shows planned

18 Oct 2026 | 5:53 PM

Faridabad, Oct 18 (UNI) The Haryana Tourism Department will organise the third Surajkund Diwali Mela at the Surajkund Mela Grounds in Faridabad from October 23 to 26, featuring around 300 handicraft stalls, regional cuisines, folk performances and a musical evening by noted Sufi singer Kanwar Grewal, officials said on Sunday.

see more..

Third accused arrested in woman's alleged abduction, gang-rape case in Yamunanagar

18 Oct 2026 | 5:52 PM

Yamunanagar, Oct 18 (UNI) Haryana Police have arrested a third accused in a case involving the alleged abduction and gang rape of a married woman who had initially told investigators that she had voluntarily left home with a male friend, officials said on Sunday.

see more..

Palwal Police warn job seekers against work-from-home, fake recruitment scams

18 Oct 2026 | 5:51 PM

Palwal, Oct 18 (UNI) Palwal Police, on Sunday, warned job seekers against cyber fraudsters posing as recruiters of reputed companies and demanding money for registration, document verification, security deposits and training materials after issuing fake appointment letters.

see more..