1 hr ago
Opposition demands CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s removal over EC objections
A newspaper reported that two Election Commissioners disagreed with the Chief Election Commissioner many times.
Their disagreements were reportedly about changing voter lists across India.
These changes included adding voters, removing names, and restoring names.
Opposition politicians say this shows that the Election Commission is not working properly.
Some called the institution a one-person autocracy.
They want Parliament to consider removing the Chief Election Commissioner.
They also asked the Supreme Court to stop the voter-list revision process.
The article does not include a response from Gyanesh Kumar or the Election Commission to these allegations.
Opposition parties called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s removal after a report alleged 14 objections by two Election Commissioners.
The Indian Express reported that Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi objected to decisions linked to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
The reported objections concerned voter additions, deletions and restorations, Form 6 changes, and electoral-roll technology.
Opposition leaders alleged that the Election Commission’s credibility and independence had been damaged, describing it as a one-man institution.
Leaders including Derek O’Brien and John Brittas renewed calls for parliamentary removal proceedings and urged the Supreme Court to halt the SIR process.
- Who
- Opposition leaders, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.
- What
- Opposition parties demanded Kumar’s removal after a report alleged that Sandhu and Joshi formally objected to Election Commission actions at least 14 times.
- Where
- The dispute concerns the Election Commission of India and its nationwide electoral-roll revision process.
- When
- The objections allegedly occurred over 10 months; the political reactions were reported on Wednesday.
- Why
- Opposition leaders said the reported objections raised questions about the legality, transparency, and credibility of the Special Intensive Revision.
Opposition allegations
Reported position not provided
Election Commission functioning
Opposition allegations
Opposition leaders alleged that Gyanesh Kumar had undermined the Election Commission’s credibility and was operating it as a one-man institution.
Reported position not provided
The article does not include a response from Kumar or the Election Commission addressing these allegations.
Special Intensive Revision
Opposition allegations
Opposition politicians argued that the reported objections showed the SIR process could be unauthorized, illegal, or damaging to electoral-roll integrity.
Reported position not provided
The article reports the alleged internal objections but does not provide the Election Commission’s justification or defense of the SIR process.
Removal proceedings
Opposition allegations
Opposition leaders urged Parliament to begin proceedings to remove or impeach the Chief Election Commissioner and asked the Supreme Court to halt SIR.
Reported position not provided
No response from the government, the Chief Election Commissioner, or the Election Commission on the removal demands is included.
Key facts
- Reported objections
- At least 14 formal objections by two Election Commissioners over 10 months.
- Commissioners named
- Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.
- Issue involved
- The Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
- Issues cited
- Voter additions, deletions, restorations, Form 6 changes, and electoral-roll technology.
- Opposition demand
- Removal or impeachment proceedings against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
- Parliamentary claim
- John Brittas said a removal notice had been submitted on April 24, 2026, with about 70 members’ signatures.
- Judicial demand
- Brittas called for the Supreme Court to annul the SIR process.
Quotes
Manish Tewari
Congress Member of Parliament who reacted to the reported Election Commission objections
“If rules were not allegedly followed and decisions were taken that were not unanimous or by majority then all the decisions of @ECISVEEP are per -se arbitrary and capricious if not completely illegal”
livemint.com
“This is the open subversion of the EC and our democracy too”
livemint.com
Sources
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