Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Opposition demands CEC removal after reported Election Commission dissent
Several opposition leaders in India are criticizing Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
They say two other Election Commissioners objected many times to decisions about voter lists.
The reported disagreements involved adding and removing voters and changing a voter-registration form.
The report also said more than 13 crore names were removed from draft lists during a voter-list review.
Opposition leaders want the Special Intensive Revision, or SIR, to be stopped or cancelled.
Some leaders want Kumar removed, arrested, or prevented from overseeing future elections.
M.K. Stalin wants an independent investigation into what happened.
The Election Commission’s response to these allegations was not provided in the articles.
Opposition leaders demanded the immediate removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, with some also calling for his arrest.
A press report said Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi objected at least 14 times over 10 months to electoral-roll decisions.
The reported disputes involved voter additions and deletions, changes to Form 6, and centralisation of voter-roll data.
Opposition leaders demanded that the Special Intensive Revision be cancelled, with some seeking restoration of voter lists from three years ago.
M.K. Stalin called for an impartial inquiry, while other leaders questioned election results and alleged voter deletions and political interference.
- Who
- Opposition leaders including M.K. Stalin, Arvind Kejriwal, Rahul Gandhi, Uddhav Thackeray, Akhilesh Yadav and Mamata Banerjee; Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar; and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.
- What
- Opposition leaders demanded Kumar’s removal and called for the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls to be stopped or cancelled, citing reported internal objections and alleged voter-list irregularities.
- When
- Wednesday; the reported objections allegedly occurred at least 14 times over 10 months.
- Where
- The allegations concern the Election Commission of India, with specific concerns raised about West Bengal, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu elections.
- Why
- The opposition leaders said reported decisions made without the knowledge or approval of all Election Commissioners undermined confidence in the electoral process and may have affected voter lists and election results.
- Main demand
- Immediate removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
- Reported dissent
- Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi allegedly objected at least 14 times in 10 months
- Reported deletions
- More than 13 crore names were reportedly removed from draft electoral rolls across 30 states and Union Territories during SIR
- Disputed issues
- Voter additions and deletions, changes to Form 6, and centralisation of voter-roll data
- Stalin’s proposal
- Stop SIR and conduct an impartial inquiry into Election Commission decisions
- Other demands
- Arvind Kejriwal sought cancellation of SIR and restoration of voter lists from three years ago
- Additional allegations
- Opposition leaders alleged systematic voter deletions, political interference and damage to election credibility
