Archive · 26 Sep 2026
Congress Protests Intensify Nationwide, Demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s Resignation
The Congress party and its youth wing held protests in New Delhi and several Indian states.
They want Election Commission chief Gyanesh Kumar to resign.
The protests are about a process called the Special Intensive Revision, which checks and updates voter lists.
Congress says this process and other Election Commission actions could harm people’s voting rights.
Protesters also used phrases such as “vote chori” to accuse authorities of wrongdoing.
Police detained some protesters and used water cannons in Patna and Chandigarh.
In Manipur, a clash with police led to tear gas being fired.
The Election Commission says its decisions followed law and established procedures.
It also says questions raised inside the commission were normal discussions and that final SIR decisions were unanimous.
The Indian Youth Congress marched from Raisina Road to Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and removal.
Congress held demonstrations across several states over alleged “vote chori” and the Election Commission’s handling of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Police used water cannons in Patna and Chandigarh, detained protesters in multiple states, and fired tear gas during a tense demonstration in Manipur.
Congress leaders and allied protesters demanded Kumar’s arrest, prosecution and accountability, while some leaders indicated that an impeachment motion could be considered in Parliament.
The protests followed reports of objections by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, while the Election Commission said its final SIR decisions were unanimous.
- Who
- The Indian National Congress, Indian Youth Congress and allied opposition leaders and supporters protested against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Election Commission of India.
- What
- They held nationwide demonstrations demanding Kumar’s resignation and removal, and in some places called for his arrest and prosecution over the handling of electoral-roll revision.
- When
- The protests took place on Friday; the issue was also expected to be discussed at a Congress Working Committee meeting scheduled for September 29.
- Where
- Demonstrations took place in New Delhi, Chandigarh, Patna, Lucknow, Guwahati, Jammu, Kolkata, Manipur, Shimla, Dehradun and other locations across India.
- Why
- Congress said the Special Intensive Revision and other Election Commission actions threatened voting rights and involved alleged irregularities; the protests followed reports of internal objections over electoral-roll procedures and database access.
Congress and Opposition Protesters
Election Commission of India
Electoral-roll revision
Congress and Opposition Protesters
Congress says the Special Intensive Revision and related decisions could undermine voting rights and democracy, and demands Kumar’s resignation and removal.
Election Commission of India
The Election Commission says its decisions were made according to law and established procedures and that final SIR decisions were unanimous.
Alleged electoral irregularities
Congress and Opposition Protesters
Congress alleges “vote chori,” objects to the handling of electoral rolls and database access, and has raised concerns about a “Mark VIP” feature in the Booth Level Officer application.
Election Commission of India
The Election Commission rejects allegations that the electoral process was manipulated and characterizes the reported internal questions as normal operational feedback rather than institutional dissent.
Accountability for Gyanesh Kumar
Congress and Opposition Protesters
Congress leaders and allied protesters have demanded Kumar’s resignation, arrest and prosecution, while opposition parties may consider an impeachment motion.
Election Commission of India
The Election Commission has defended its institutional decision-making; the articles do not report a separate personal response from Kumar.
- Main demand
- Resignation and removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
- Central march
- Indian Youth Congress protesters marched from Raisina Road to Jantar Mantar in New Delhi
- Main issue
- The Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, described by Congress as part of alleged “vote chori”
- Police response
- Water cannons were used in Patna and Chandigarh; protesters were detained in several states; tear gas was fired in Manipur
- Reported internal objections
- Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi reportedly raised objections at least 14 times over 10 months
- Election Commission position
- The Election Commission said the objections were operational queries, internal feedback and administrative suggestions, and that final SIR decisions were unanimous
- Possible parliamentary action
- Congress indicated that opposition parties may consider an impeachment motion against Gyanesh Kumar
