Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Congress Demands SIR Suspension and CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s Resignation
The Congress held a protest in Amalapuram about changes to voter lists.
It wants Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign.
It also wants the Special Intensive Revision, or SIR, to stop.
Congress leaders say many voter names were removed unfairly.
They are asking for those names to be put back.
The party also wants more openness about how voter lists are changed.
Congress leaders pointed to reports of disagreements among Election Commissioners.
The Election Commission says its decisions followed the required procedure.
The Congress held a large dharna in Amalapuram demanding the resignation and removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The party called for suspension of the Special Intensive Revision and restoration of voter names it alleges were deleted.
Congress leader Gidugu Rudra Raju alleged that about 13 crore voters were illegally removed from electoral rolls.
Rudra Raju cited reported objections by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi over electoral-roll decisions and database changes.
The Election Commission has maintained that its decisions were taken according to applicable procedure, while the Congress said it would continue protesting.
- Who
- The Indian National Congress, led at the protest by Gidugu Rudra Raju, and the Election Commission of India are central to the dispute.
- What
- Congress organised a dharna demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, suspension of the Special Intensive Revision, and restoration of allegedly deleted voter names.
- When
- The protest was held on Wednesday; the article does not provide a calendar date.
- Where
- Amalapuram, the headquarters of Konaseema district.
- Why
- Congress says the electoral-roll revision involved irregularities, insufficient transparency, and allegedly improper voter deletions.
Congress’s allegations and demands
Election Commission’s stated position
Validity of the electoral-roll revision
Congress’s allegations and demands
Congress alleges that the Special Intensive Revision involved irregularities and demands its immediate suspension.
Election Commission’s stated position
The Election Commission has maintained that decisions connected with the process were taken according to applicable procedure.
Voter deletions and database decisions
Congress’s allegations and demands
Congress alleges that around 13 crore voter names were illegally deleted and seeks their restoration, along with greater transparency.
Election Commission’s stated position
The article does not report a detailed response from the Election Commission to the deletion figure, but says the Commission maintained that its decisions followed procedure.
Internal decision-making
Congress’s allegations and demands
Congress alleges that Gyanesh Kumar acted without the approval of the other Election Commissioners and points to reported concerns from Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.
Election Commission’s stated position
The reported concerns and alleged differences are not confirmed in the article as a finding of wrongdoing; the Commission says its decisions followed the applicable process.
- Protesting organisation
- Indian National Congress
- Protest location
- Amalapuram, Konaseema district
- Main demand
- Resignation and removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
- Electoral process targeted
- Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls
- Alleged deleted voters
- Around 13 crore, according to Congress claims
- Other demands
- Suspend the revision process and restore allegedly deleted voter names
- Election Commission position
- Its decisions were taken according to applicable procedure