Story perspectives

Election Commission records 14 objections to SIR decisions

By Drooid · Sep 28, 2026, 4:15 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Election Commissioners Object

Election Commission members Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi formally objected to SIR decisions.
They recorded fourteen objections over a ten-month period, citing unauthorized Form 6 changes and limited ERONet access.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar postponed Meerut and Varanasi events on September 21, citing venue issues.
Opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi and Uddhav Thackeray demanded Kumar’s resignation, alleging election rigging.

Summary

Banerjee Calls INDIA Bloc

Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee said only the Cockroach Janata Party could remove CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke threatened a “Jantar Mantar 2.0” protest if Kumar does not resign.
Mamata Banerjee announced an INDIA bloc meeting at Delhi’s Constitution Club for September 30.
CPI(M) general secretary M.A. Baby called for an “INDIA Bloc-Plus” and accused the CEC of misuse backed by BJP.

History

Historical Context

During the 1999 Indian general election, the Election Commission of India announced the schedule on 11 July and began polling on 5 September. A bomb blast attributed to Naxalite groups forced the commission to postpone voting in the Narasaraopet constituency, which had recorded over 60% turnout before the blast, a decision criticised by the Bharatiya Janata Party and opposition leaders.

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Election Commissioners Object

Election Commission members Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi formally objected to SIR decisions.
They recorded fourteen objections over a ten-month period, citing unauthorized Form 6 changes and limited ERONet access.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar postponed Meerut and Varanasi events on September 21, citing venue issues.
Opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi and Uddhav Thackeray demanded Kumar’s resignation, alleging election rigging.

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