Archive · 29 Sep 2026
Congress Units Seek Gyanesh Kumar’s Dismissal Over Electoral Roll Allegations
Congress groups in Nashik and Beed complained about how India’s voter lists are being managed.
They gave memoranda to their district collectors on Monday.
The groups asked that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar be removed and arrested.
They said a voter-checking process called Special Intensive Revision could remove many legitimate voters.
They also claimed that two other election commissioners disagreed with some decisions 14 times.
Congress alleged that names were deleted in West Bengal and Bihar.
It also alleged that fake voters were added in Maharashtra before the 2024 Assembly elections.
The reports give different figures for some alleged changes and do not include a direct response from Kumar.
Nashik and Beed Congress units separately demanded Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s dismissal and arrest on Monday.
The parties alleged that the Special Intensive Revision process was removing legitimate voters from electoral rolls.
Congress cited alleged objections by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi on 14 occasions over 10 months.
The memoranda alleged voter deletions in West Bengal and Bihar and bogus additions before Maharashtra’s 2024 Assembly elections.
The articles report no direct response from Gyanesh Kumar; one says the Election Commission disputed related allegations raised by Rahul Gandhi.
- Who
- The Nashik and Beed district Congress units, including Nilesh Arjun Khaire and Rahul Sonwane, made demands against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
- What
- They demanded Kumar’s dismissal and arrest, alleging electoral-roll irregularities and arbitrary or unilateral Election Commission decision-making.
- When
- Both memoranda and the Beed demonstration took place on Monday; the articles do not provide a specific date.
- Where
- The Nashik memorandum was submitted to the Nashik District Collector, while the Beed memorandum was submitted at the Beed Collectorate.
- Why
- Congress alleged that voter-list revisions, enrolments, deletions and internal Election Commission decisions threatened electoral integrity and democratic institutions.
Congress Allegations
Election Commission Position
Election Commission impartiality
Congress Allegations
Congress alleged that the Election Commission of India had compromised its autonomy and was operating to favour the Bharatiya Janata Party and influence electoral outcomes.
Election Commission Position
The articles provide no detailed response from Gyanesh Kumar or the Election Commission to the specific memoranda, although the Beed report says the Election Commission disputed related allegations raised by Rahul Gandhi.
Electoral-roll changes
Congress Allegations
Congress alleged that the Special Intensive Revision process was removing legitimate voters and cited deletions in West Bengal and Bihar, as well as alleged bogus additions in Maharashtra.
Election Commission Position
The articles do not provide an official explanation of the alleged voter deletions or additions; the reported figures also differ, with West Bengal estimates of 12 lakh and 92 lakh, and Maharashtra estimates of 45 lakh and around 47 lakh.
Commissioner disagreements
Congress Allegations
Congress said Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi objected to decisions allegedly taken unilaterally by Gyanesh Kumar 14 times over 10 months, involving voter rolls, enrolments, deletions and IT systems.
Election Commission Position
No response from Gyanesh Kumar, Sandhu or Joshi explaining or confirming the reported disagreements is included.
- Demand
- Dismissal and arrest of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
- Locations
- Nashik and Beed, Maharashtra
- Voter-list process
- Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls
- Reported commissioner objections
- Congress said Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi objected to decisions on 14 occasions over 10 months
- West Bengal allegation
- The Nashik memorandum cited 12 lakh deleted names; the Beed memorandum cited 92 lakh
- Maharashtra allegation
- Congress alleged that 45 lakh or around 47 lakh bogus voters were added before the 2024 Assembly elections
- Other alleged issues
- Congress cited Bihar deletions, alleged unauthorised enrolments and changes to Election Commission IT systems
- Official response
- The Beed report says the Election Commission disputed Rahul Gandhi’s related allegations; no direct response from Kumar is reported
