Full Breakdown
Gyanesh Kumar’s Tenure as Chief Election Commissioner Under Fire
By Drooid · · How we work
The Controversy Over the Chief Election Commissioner
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar—appointed on February 17 2025 for a term ending January 26 2029—faces accusations of using the Election Commission of India (ECI) to favour the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) through a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) that has removed more than 13 crore names. Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi have lodged written objections on at least 14 occasions over ten months, claiming decisions were taken without their knowledge. The dispute has sparked protests and calls for Kumar’s resignation.
Background & Context
Kumar entered the civil service in the 1988 IAS batch (Kerala cadre), later serving as Resident Commissioner in Delhi (2016) before becoming an Election Commissioner on March 14 2024. His elevation to CEC followed the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, whose selection committee—Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition and Chief Justice—has been criticised for giving the ruling party a decisive majority. The SIR, launched in early 2025, is the first nation-wide voter-list overhaul since the mid-1990s, aiming to delete deceased, duplicate or ineligible entries while adding new voters.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| March 14 2024 | Kumar appointed Election Commissioner. |
| February 17 2025 | Became CEC. |
| August 17 2025 | Press conference denying “vote-theft” accusations. |
| September 23 2026 | Supreme Court split verdict on challenges to the 2023 Act. |
| September 24 2026 | Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) demanded resignation within 48 h. |
| September 25 2026 | Congress launched protests; opposition submitted impeachment notices. |
| September 30 2026 (scheduled) | INDIA bloc to meet on removing Kumar. |
| October 2 2026 (scheduled) | CJP planned “Jantar Mantar 2.0” protest. |
| October 30 2026 (deadline) | Deadline for filing further objections to SIR decisions. |
Official Statements & Responses
The commission emphasized that every officer may submit suggestions for improving the electoral system.
Criticism & Opposition
- Rahul Gandhi (LoP) accused Kumar of “match-fixing” elections and urged resignation.
- M.K. Stalin (DMK) said the CEC acted “unilaterally and in secrecy,” calling for a Supreme Court intervention.
- Devender Yadav (Delhi Congress) alleged “vote theft” by the BJP and demanded Kumar’s arrest.
- Abhijeet Dipke (CJP) labeled Kumar “the biggest anti-national” and warned of nationwide agitation.
- Naveen Patnaik (BJD) demanded Kumar’s resignation and a full review of the SIR process.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Alleged recruitment offer (2016). Former Kerala chief secretary Jiji Thomson claims Kumar invited him to contest the 2019 Lok Sabha election on a BJP ticket. Kumar has not responded.
- Internal objections vs. unanimity claim. Sandhu and Joshi’s notes allege decisions were taken without their knowledge, while the ECI maintains that all final actions were unanimous. The objection letters have not been released.
- Impact of SIR on voter disenfranchisement. Opposition cites millions of deletions; the ECI argues the exercise removes only ineligible entries and is sanctioned by the Supreme Court. Independent verification of the exact number of legitimate voters excluded is pending.
What’s Next
- The INDIA bloc will convene on September 30 2026 to discuss removing Kumar.
- The CJP has announced a “Jantar Mantar 2.0” protest on October 2 2026 if the CEC does not step down within 48 hours.
- The deadline for filing additional SIR objections is October 30 2026.
- The Congress Working Committee is scheduled to meet on September 29 2026 to decide further actions, including possible legal challenges.