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Gyanesh Kumar faces calls for resignation over voter list controversy
Opposition leaders in India are demanding the resignation and criminal prosecution of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar following allegations of widespread voter list manipulation. The controversy centers on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, during which approximately 130 million names were reportedly removed from draft voter lists across 30 states and union territories.
Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra have called for Kumar's immediate removal, with Vadra suggesting he face treason charges for allegedly allowing unfair elections. Gandhi has demanded that the CEC step down to serve as a witness in investigations into these electoral irregularities. Similarly, TMC leader Mamata Banerjee has called for Kumar's arrest and demanded fresh elections in states like West Bengal where the SIR process was conducted.
The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) has issued a 48-hour ultimatum for the CEC to resign, threatening nationwide protests, including ‘Jantar Mantar 2.0’, if the demand is not met. These calls for action follow reports that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had filed at least 14 formal objections regarding voter list decisions and data centralization over the past 10 months.
The Election Commission has responded by stating that internal differing opinions are a normal part of the deliberative process and maintained that its orders are the result of unanimous decisions.
Entities
Congress · Election Commission of India · Gyanesh Kumar · Mamata Banerjee · Priyanka Gandhi Vadra · Rahul Gandhi
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Supreme Court remarked that the Election Commission must not only be independent but must also appear to be independent. hindi.webdunia.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] TMC leader Mamata Banerjee demanded the arrest of Gyanesh Kumar and called for fresh elections in West Bengal and other states where the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process was conducted. hindi.webdunia.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar should face criminal prosecution for treason for allegedly allowing unfair elections by removing approximately 130 million names from voter lists. navabharat.news · www.bhaskarhindi.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Election Commission stated that differing opinions and comments within an institution are a normal part of the deliberative process and that its orders are the result of unanimous decisions. navabharat.news · www.aajsamaaj.com · hindi.webdunia.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi reportedly filed at least 14 formal objections regarding decisions on voter lists and data centralization over the last 10 months. navabharat.news · www.aajsamaaj.com · www.liveaaryaavart.com · hindi.webdunia.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The CJP claimed that over 130 million names were removed from draft voter lists across 30 states and union territories during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. www.liveaaryaavart.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Cockroach Janata Party issued a 48-hour ultimatum for the CEC to resign, threatening nationwide protests including ‘Jantar Mantar 2.0’ if the demand is not met. www.aajsamaaj.com · www.liveaaryaavart.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi demanded the immediate resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar, suggesting he should step down to serve as a witness in the investigation of electoral irregularities. www.aajsamaaj.com