Archive · 27 Sep 2026
Rohit Pawar Attacks CEC Gyanesh Kumar Amid SIR Row
Rohit Pawar criticized Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar during a disagreement about updating voter lists.
He said the Election Commission should represent India’s people and Constitution, not the government.
Pawar also questioned changes to how the election chief is selected.
He said the Chief Justice of India was removed from the selection panel and replaced by a minister in 2023.
He supported protests calling for changes to the Election Commission and possibly the removal of electronic voting machines.
An investigation reported that more than 13 crore names were left out of draft voter lists during the SIR process.
The report also said two election commissioners objected to some decisions.
In Maharashtra, Raj Thackeray said his party and the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) would organize a march on October 4.
The march will protest the functioning of the Election Commission led by Gyanesh Kumar.
NCP-SP MLA Rohit Pawar accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of representing the Government of India rather than the people.
Pawar criticized the 2023 change that replaced the Chief Justice of India with a minister on the CEC selection panel.
He backed possible protests seeking Kumar’s removal, EVM abolition, and greater transparency in elections.
An Indian Express investigation reported that more than 13 crore names were excluded from draft electoral rolls during the SIR exercise.
Raj Thackeray announced that the MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT) would hold a joint march in Mumbai on October 4.
- Who
- NCP-SP MLA Rohit Pawar criticized Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar; Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders announced a protest march.
- What
- The dispute concerns the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, the appointment and accountability of the CEC, and the functioning of the Election Commission.
- When
- Pawar’s remarks were reported on September 27, 2026; the announced march is scheduled for October 4.
- Where
- The remarks were made in Mumbai, while the SIR exercise covered states and Union Territories across India.
- Why
- Pawar and other opposition figures raised concerns about electoral-roll exclusions, the CEC selection process, accountability, EVMs, and transparency.
Critics of the Election Commission
Election Commission and Government Position
CEC independence
Critics of the Election Commission
Rohit Pawar alleged that Gyanesh Kumar acts in favour of the Government of India rather than representing the people and the Constitution.
Election Commission and Government Position
The article reports the criticism but does not provide a response from Gyanesh Kumar, the Election Commission, or the government.
CEC appointment process
Critics of the Election Commission
Pawar argued that replacing the Chief Justice of India with a minister weakened the selection process and questioned who now chooses the CEC.
Election Commission and Government Position
The article states that the panel was changed in 2023 but does not include the government’s justification for the change.
Special Intensive Revision
Critics of the Election Commission
Opposition figures cited the reported exclusion of more than 13 crore names and called for transparency and structural changes.
Election Commission and Government Position
The article reports the investigation’s findings but does not include the Election Commission’s response to the alleged exclusions.
- Main speaker
- Rohit Pawar, NCP-SP MLA
- Target of criticism
- Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
- Election exercise
- Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls
- Reported exclusions
- More than 13 crore names were excluded from draft electoral rolls, according to an Indian Express investigation
- Selection-panel change
- The Chief Justice of India was replaced by a minister on the CEC selection panel in 2023, according to Pawar
- Planned protest
- MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT) announced a joint march in Mumbai on October 4
- Additional report
- Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi reportedly objected at least 14 times over 10 months