Archive · 25 Sep 2026
CJP Issues Resignation Ultimatum Over Electoral Roll Dispute
The Cockroach Janta Party says many people may have been wrongly removed from voter lists.
It wants Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign within 48 hours.
The group says it will organize protests across India if he does not resign.
It also plans a possible “Jantar Mantar 2.0” protest in Delhi.
The party says more than 13 crore names were left out of draft voter lists during a review.
It wants an independent investigation into who approved the changes.
It also wants removed voters to have a clear and fair way to appeal.
The Election Commission says disagreements and written objections are normal parts of its decision-making process.
However, the Commission did not publicly answer the specific concerns raised in the reported objections.
The Cockroach Janta Party gave Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar 48 hours to resign.
It threatened nationwide protests, including a proposed “Jantar Mantar 2.0” demonstration in Delhi.
The CJP’s campaign focuses on more than 13 crore names allegedly excluded from draft rolls across 30 states and Union Territories.
The group cited at least 14 recorded objections by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi to SIR-related decisions.
The CJP demanded an independent investigation, a halt to disputed exclusions, publication of records, and reforms to the commissioners’ appointment process.
- Who
- The Cockroach Janta Party, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, and the Election Commission of India.
- What
- The CJP demanded Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and called for investigations, a halt to disputed SIR-related exclusions, publication of records, and appointment reforms.
- When
- The demands were announced on Thursday; the resignation deadline was set at 48 hours. The CJP said the SIR exercise began in June last year.
- Where
- The disputed electoral-roll changes concern 30 states and Union Territories; threatened protests would take place nationwide and at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.
- Why
- The CJP alleges that voter names were removed or excluded without sufficient transparency, legal explanation, or accessible remedies, while the Election Commission says internal disagreement is a normal part of deliberation.
CJP’s Allegations and Demands
Election Commission’s Position
Internal objections
CJP’s Allegations and Demands
The CJP says the recorded objections by Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi require a public explanation of who authorized the disputed decisions and how the objections were handled.
Election Commission’s Position
The Election Commission says differing views, written observations, and internal checks are normal parts of deliberation before final decisions.
Voter-roll exclusions
CJP’s Allegations and Demands
The CJP alleges that more than 13 crore names were excluded and says every removal must be lawful, transparent, and subject to meaningful review.
Election Commission’s Position
The Election Commission acknowledged the existence of internal notes but did not publicly address the specific concerns cited in the investigation.
Young voters and political impact
CJP’s Allegations and Demands
CJP leaders alleged that young and first-time voters were being kept off the rolls because the BJP believed Gen Z did not support it; these allegations were presented by the CJP, not independently established in the reports.
Election Commission’s Position
The articles do not report a specific Election Commission response to the allegations about Gen Z or politically motivated exclusions.
- Resignation deadline
- The CJP gave Gyanesh Kumar 48 hours to resign.
- Proposed protests
- The group threatened nationwide agitation and a possible “Jantar Mantar 2.0” protest in New Delhi.
- Alleged exclusions
- The CJP said more than 13 crore names were excluded from draft electoral rolls.
- Geographic scope
- The alleged exclusions occurred during the Special Intensive Revision across 30 states and Union Territories.
- Recorded objections
- Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi reportedly objected at least 14 times over 10 months.
- Commission response
- The Election Commission said differing views, written notes, technical suggestions, and internal checks are standard parts of institutional decision-making.
- CJP demands
- The group sought an independent probe, a halt to disputed exclusions, preservation and publication of relevant records, and reforms to the appointment framework for election commissioners.
