Archive · 26 Sep 2026
Congress Protests Across India Demand CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s Resignation
Congress held protests in many parts of India against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The party wants him to resign, be removed or, in some places, be arrested.
The protests were about a voter-list updating exercise called the Special Intensive Revision, or SIR.
A newspaper report said two other election commissioners had objected several times to decisions connected with the exercise.
Congress said the decisions and changes to voter lists should be independently checked.
Protesters tried to march to election offices in cities including Delhi, Patna, Guwahati and Chandigarh.
Police detained some protesters and used water cannons or tear gas in some places.
The Election Commission said disagreements can happen during discussions and that the final SIR decisions were made unanimously and according to law.
Congress held demonstrations in several Indian states on September 25, demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, removal or arrest.
Protesters attempted to march toward election offices, while police used barricades, detentions, water cannons and, in Imphal, tear gas.
The protests followed an Indian Express report that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi objected at least 14 times to decisions linked to electoral-roll revisions.
Congress sought an independent review or audit of electoral decisions and roll changes made under Kumar, with some leaders alleging compromised elections.
The Election Commission said differing views are normal during deliberations and that final Special Intensive Revision decisions were unanimous and legally authorized.
- Who
- The Indian National Congress, its leaders and workers, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, the Election Commission of India, and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.
- What
- Congress organized protests demanding Kumar’s resignation, removal or arrest and an independent review of electoral decisions and voter-list changes.
- When
- Friday, September 25, 2026; Congress announced additional district-level protests for September 28.
- Where
- Protests took place in Delhi, Guwahati, Patna, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Jammu, Kolkata, Imphal, Shimla, Hyderabad, Srinagar and other Indian locations.
- Why
- Congress cited reported objections within the Election Commission concerning the Special Intensive Revision, voter-registration forms, additions and deletions from electoral rolls, and control of the voter database.
Congress and Protesters
Election Commission of India
Accountability for the CEC
Congress and Protesters
Congress demanded Kumar’s resignation, removal or arrest. Party leaders said he should turn approver or face trial, and called for accountability if wrongdoing were established.
Election Commission of India
The Election Commission defended its orders as legally authorized and compliant with established statutory procedures.
Internal objections over SIR
Congress and Protesters
Congress cited the report that Sandhu and Joshi repeatedly objected to decisions involving voter forms, electoral-roll additions and deletions, and centralized database control.
Election Commission of India
The commission said differing views and observations are normal in institutional deliberations and rejected portraying them as a split.
Review of electoral decisions
Congress and Protesters
Congress called for an independent review or audit of decisions and voter-list changes made during Kumar’s tenure; some leaders also alleged that elections in Haryana and Varanasi were compromised.
Election Commission of India
The commission said its commissioners and officers are authorized to offer suggestions, and that final SIR decisions were taken unanimously.
- Main demand
- Congress demanded Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, removal from office or arrest.
- Reported objections
- The Indian Express reported at least 14 objections by Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi over the previous 10 months.
- Protest locations
- Demonstrations were reported in Delhi, Assam, Bihar, Chandigarh, Manipur, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Telangana and other areas.
- Police response
- Authorities used barricades, detentions, water cannons and, in Imphal, tear gas to stop or disperse protesters.
- Congress proposal
- The party called for an independent review or audit of decisions and electoral-roll changes made under Kumar.
- Election Commission response
- The commission said differing views are part of institutional deliberations and that final SIR decisions were unanimous and legally sanctioned.
- Next protest
- Congress said district committees would hold further protest marches on September 28.
Sources
Water Cannons Used, Gaurav Gogoi Detained As Congress Holds Protests Against Gyanesh Kumar
Cong hits streets seeking CEC resignation; asks Gyanesh Kumar to turn ‘approver’ or face trial
Watch: Massive Protests Erupt Across India Against ECI And CEC Gyanesh Kumar Amid S.I.R. Row
Congress protests across India, demands Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, arrest over SIR