Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Opposition Challenges Election Commission Over Reported Internal Rift
A newspaper reported that two election commissioners were unhappy with some decisions by India’s Election Commission.
They said they were not properly informed about adding new voters or deleting names.
They called some decisions unauthorised and illegal.
They also worried that voter information could be controlled from Delhi instead of by state officials.
Congress leaders strongly criticised Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Congress said Kumar was acting like a dictator and helping Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Congress leader Manish Tewari said the report suggested an invisible hand was influencing the commission.
The report and political statements described in these articles do not include a response from Kumar or the Election Commission.
An Indian Express report said two of India’s three election commissioners objected to certain Election Commission decisions.
Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi reportedly said they were kept uninformed about adding voters and deleting names.
The commissioners described decisions concerning new voters as “unauthorised” and “illegal.”
They warned that voter database access could be centralised in Delhi, bypassing state officials.
Congress leaders accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of undermining democracy and enabling alleged “vote theft.”
- Who
- The Election Commission of India, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, Congress, and Congress leader Manish Tewari.
- What
- Two election commissioners reportedly objected to procedures involving new voters, deleted names, and access to voter databases, prompting criticism from Congress.
- When
- The reactions were reported on September 23, 2026; the timing of the reported internal objections was not specified.
- Where
- The dispute concerned the Election Commission of India, including potential centralisation of voter database access in Delhi.
- Why
- The commissioners reportedly objected to being kept uninformed and to decisions they considered unauthorised or illegal; Congress alleged that the process was being used to benefit Narendra Modi.
Reported Commissioner Concerns
Congress’s Political Allegations
Voter-roll procedures
Reported Commissioner Concerns
Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi reportedly objected to being kept informed about adding voters and deleting names, calling decisions concerning new voters unauthorised and illegal.
Congress’s Political Allegations
Congress characterised the report as evidence that Gyanesh Kumar and Narendra Modi had undermined the Election Commission and enabled alleged vote theft.
Control of voter data
Reported Commissioner Concerns
The commissioners reportedly warned that voter database access could be centralised in Delhi and bypass state officials.
Congress’s Political Allegations
Congress leaders said the findings suggested an invisible hand was running the Election Commission and questioned whether its credibility could be restored.
Effect on democracy
Reported Commissioner Concerns
The reported objections focused on whether proper procedures and decision-making rules were followed.
Congress’s Political Allegations
Congress said the alleged conduct had caused serious damage to India’s democracy and that impeachment proceedings might warrant consideration.
- Source
- An Indian Express report described disagreements within the Election Commission.
- Commissioners raising concerns
- Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.
- Commission size
- Two of the three election commissioners reportedly objected.
- Disputed issues
- Adding new voters, deleting names, and access to voter databases.
- Commissioners’ description
- They reportedly called decisions concerning new voters “unauthorised” and “illegal.”
- Database concern
- Access could be centralised in Delhi, bypassing state officials.
- Political reaction
- Congress accused Gyanesh Kumar of acting dictatorially and alleged “vote theft.”
