Politics · India · 5 hrs ago
Opposition holds symbolic vote to ‘impeach’ election chief Gyanesh Kumar
More than 250 opposition lawmakers from 19 parties held a symbolic vote against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge’s home in New Delhi.
They passed a resolution demanding Kumar’s removal and a treason trial, but the exercise was a public political event, not a formal impeachment.
The opposition accused Kumar and the ruling BJP of undermining election fairness, including through changes to voter lists.
It said a special revision of the rolls had removed voters, an allegation Kumar and the Election Commission are accused of not addressing in the event.
Opposition leaders say earlier notices seeking Kumar’s removal were rejected by Parliament.
The dispute matters because voter registration affects who can take part in elections and public trust in the election process.
The opposition also plans to hold a rally at Ramlila Maidan on Sunday.
Nineteen opposition parties held a symbolic public vote to “impeach” Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence in New Delhi on Saturday.
More than 250 opposition lawmakers attended the event, where they accused Kumar of helping to undermine election management and demanded his removal and a trial for treason.
The resolution was adopted unanimously, according to Hindustan Times; Times of India reported it passed by a voice vote.
The opposition’s allegations included claims that changes to electoral rolls through a special intensive revision had deprived voters of their rights.
The BJP called the event “drama,” according to the Hindustan Times headline.
- Who
- Nineteen opposition parties and more than 250 opposition lawmakers held the event. It targeted Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
- What
- The opposition held a symbolic public vote to “impeach” Kumar and passed a resolution demanding his removal and a trial for treason.
- When
- Saturday, October 31, 2026. The event began after 4 PM, and the resolution was adopted at 7:05 PM, according to Hindustan Times.
- Where
- At Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence in New Delhi.
- Why
- The opposition accused Kumar of colluding with the ruling BJP and of overseeing a manipulated revision of electoral rolls. Kumar’s alleged role was the subject of the resolution.
Opposition parties
BJP
Characterisation of the event
Opposition parties
The opposition presented the public vote as a way to demand justice and hold the election chief accountable.
BJP
The BJP termed the event “drama.
Allegations about election management
Opposition parties
Opposition parties accused Kumar of colluding with the BJP and enabling changes to electoral rolls that deprived voters of their rights.
BJP
Not stated
The opposition’s public vote began at Kharge’s residence in New Delhi.
The resolution to remove Kumar was adopted unanimously, according to Hindustan Times.
- Attendance
- More than 250 opposition lawmakers, according to Hindustan Times
- Parties involved
- Nineteen opposition parties
- Venue
- Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence, New Delhi
- Resolution
- Demanded Kumar’s immediate removal and a trial for treason
- Vote
- Adopted unanimously, according to Hindustan Times
2 sources
What people are saying
This is a political weapon that is going to give justice to the youth of India and people. This is our sacred duty for the Constitution.
We have nowhere else to go. Every other institution is closed for us.
We hold no personal animosity toward the CEC; our objective is to ensure that the Election Commission functions impartially, in alignment with the spirit of the Constitution, and retains the trust of the common citizen.
Modi has hatched conspiracies to retain power, which include engineering defections, splitting parties, electoral bonds, misuse of agencies