Full Breakdown
Controversy Over Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Voter Rolls
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar is facing a nationwide political showdown after an investigative report revealed that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi formally objected at least 14 times over a ten-month period to decisions taken during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Opposition parties allege that the SIR deleted millions of legitimate voters to benefit the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), while the Election Commission (EC) maintains that all final decisions were unanimous and within legal bounds.
Background & Context
The SIR exercise, launched in 2025, was intended to clean electoral rolls by removing duplicate, deceased or ineligible entries. Critics say the process was used to “vanish” voters in border states, especially West Bengal. The controversy intensified after *The Indian Express* disclosed internal objections, prompting protests, legal petitions, and calls for the CEC’s removal.
Timeline
- March 15 2026: Rajya Sabha impeachment notice cites alleged misconduct by Kumar.
- September 23 2026: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee demanded Kumar’s arrest.
- September 24 2026: TMC MP Mahua Moitra filed a police complaint seeking an FIR against Kumar.
- September 25 2026: Congress organized protests demanding Kumar’s resignation.
- September 26 2026 (scheduled): Banerjee announced an INDIA bloc meeting in Delhi on September 30.
- September 30 2026 (scheduled): Planned INDIA bloc meeting at the Constitution Club, Delhi.
- October 2 2026 (scheduled): The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) threatens a nationwide agitation if Kumar does not resign.
Official Statements & Responses
- Election Commission: Internal notes are routine “checks-and-balances”; all final SIR decisions were taken unanimously with the approval of all three commissioners.
- “This issue pertains to the chief election commissioner and two election commissioners. If anyone has an objection, it can be made on specific forums. The EC is an autonomous body.” — Debjit Sarkar, Bengal BJP spokesperson
- BJP leader Samik Bhattacharya: Praised Kumar for a “violence-free” West Bengal election and for removing illegal Bangladeshi names from the rolls.
Criticism & Opposition
- Mamata Banerjee (TMC chief): Repeatedly called for Kumar’s arrest, labeling him “Vanish Kumar” and demanding a court-monitored investigation.
- Abhishek Banerjee (TMC MP): Requested a lookout circular against Kumar and accused the EC of “looting” the Bengal polls.
- Congress leaders: Organized rallies, filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging EC orders and alleged software changes made without the other commissioners’ concurrence.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Internal objections vs. unanimity: The *Indian Express* report cites 14 formal objections, suggesting decisions were taken without Sandhu and Joshi’s knowledge. The EC says such objections are part of “standard administrative practice.”
- Scale of voter deletions: Opposition cites 93 lakh deletions in West Bengal; the EC has not released an official total.
What’s Next
- The INDIA bloc is expected to convene on September 30 to formulate a coordinated response, potentially including a parliamentary motion for Kumar’s removal.
- The CJP has warned of a nationwide protest beginning October 2 if the CEC remains in office.
- Legal challenges continue in the Supreme Court concerning the EC’s software changes and the legality of the SIR process.