Archive · 10 Oct 2026
Opposition Seeks Election Chief’s Removal, Gandhi Says President Asked for Proof
Opposition leaders met President Droupadi Murmu to complain about how elections and voter lists are being handled.
They asked her to remove the chief election commissioner, pause a voter-list review and restore names they say were wrongly deleted.
They also called for paper ballots and a review of recent elections.
Rahul Gandhi said the President asked them to show evidence for their claims.
He said he was surprised by that request.
The President’s office had not issued a statement about the meeting at the time of the report.
The Election Commission said disagreements during its discussions are normal.
It also said its decisions follow the law.
A 10-member INDIA bloc delegation met President Droupadi Murmu and sought Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s removal.
Rahul Gandhi said Murmu asked the Opposition to provide evidence of alleged electoral malpractice.
The delegation also called for suspending the electoral-roll revision, restoring allegedly deleted voter names and returning to paper ballots.
Mallikarjun Kharge accused the BJP-led government of shielding Kumar and alleged that senior leaders were behind him.
The Election Commission said differences in institutional discussions are normal and its decisions follow statutory procedures.
- Who
- A 10-member INDIA bloc delegation, including Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, met President Droupadi Murmu.
- What
- The delegation sought the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and raised demands concerning voter rolls and election procedures.
- When
- Friday; the article does not specify a date.
- Where
- New Delhi, at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
- Why
- The delegation alleged electoral malpractice and objected to the Election Commission’s handling of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Opposition’s allegations and demands
Election Commission’s response
Electoral malpractice and SIR
Opposition’s allegations and demands
Opposition leaders alleged electoral malpractice and challenged the Election Commission’s handling of the voter-roll revision.
Election Commission’s response
The Election Commission said its decisions follow statutory procedures and that differences of opinion in institutional deliberations are normal.
Gyanesh Kumar’s role
Opposition’s allegations and demands
The delegation demanded Kumar’s removal; Kharge accused the BJP-led government of shielding him and alleged that senior leaders were behind him.
Election Commission’s response
The Election Commission said its decisions follow statutory procedures; the article does not report a direct response from Kumar to the removal demand.
- Delegation
- 10-member INDIA bloc delegation
- Meeting
- Delegation met President Droupadi Murmu on Friday
- Main demand
- Removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
- Other demands
- Suspend the SIR exercise, restore allegedly deleted voter names, resume paper ballots and review elections held over the past two years
- Gandhi’s account
- Rahul Gandhi said Murmu asked the Opposition to provide proof of alleged election theft
- Election Commission response
- It said differences of opinion in institutional deliberations are normal and decisions follow statutory procedures
- President’s office
- Had not issued a statement on the meeting at the time of the report