Story perspectives

Opposition Demands CEC Gyanesh Kumar Resignation Over Voter Rolls

By Drooid · Sep 27, 2026, 10:03 AM UTC · How we work

Center

Commissioners allege exclusion

On September 24, 2026, two Election Commission commissioners raised concerns about Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s handling of Intensive Revision of voter rolls.
Sandhu and Joshi, commissioners, allegedly wrote to cabinet secretary saying they were excluded from decisions on voter-roll revision.
The Election Commission defended the process, citing reforms; opposition leaders demanded Kumar’s resignation.
BJP’s Sambit Patra called criticism smear; CPI(M) secretary M A Baby said Mamata Banerjee supported unity appeal.

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Patra brands treason

On September 24, 2026, a report said two Election Commission commissioners raised concerns about Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s handling of the Intensive Revision voter rolls.
The Election Commission and the BJP asserted the SIR decisions were unanimously approved, and spokesperson Sambit Patra branded opposition leaders’ criticism as treason.
Opposition parties, including the Congress, have called for Kumar’s resignation.
The Supreme Court upheld the revised Form 6 used for voter enrolment.

History

Historical Context

The Help America Vote Act, signed by President George W. Bush on Oct 29 2002, created a voter-registration list after the 2000 election dispute. Its push raised states with registration from seven in 2000 to 46 by 2024, showing how roll updates trigger legal fights. In 2026 India’s Election Commission saw commissioners Sandhu and Joshi dispute Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s voter-roll revision, echoing the U.S. case.

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Commissioners allege exclusion

On September 24, 2026, two Election Commission commissioners raised concerns about Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s handling of Intensive Revision of voter rolls.
Sandhu and Joshi, commissioners, allegedly wrote to cabinet secretary saying they were excluded from decisions on voter-roll revision.
The Election Commission defended the process, citing reforms; opposition leaders demanded Kumar’s resignation.
BJP’s Sambit Patra called criticism smear; CPI(M) secretary M A Baby said Mamata Banerjee supported unity appeal.

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