Indian opposition leaders demand removal of Election Commissioner

Opposition leaders in India are calling for the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar following allegations of systemic voter list manipulation. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge stated that two out of three Election Commissioners have reportedly filed 14 written objections regarding various decisions within the commission, which he characterized as a sign of arbitrary conduct in a constitutional body.

The controversy centers on allegations of ‘vote theft,’ including the misuse of Form-6, improper software application, and tampering with voter rolls. Kharge noted that during the first three stages of Special Intensive Revision (SIR), approximately 138 million names were removed from voter lists across 31 states and union territories.

Jharkhand Rural Development Minister Deepika Pandey Singh also criticized the Election Commission, suggesting that organized vote theft is occurring and that the recent internal objections raise serious questions about the roles of the central government and the commission. She described the situation as a betrayal of the constitution and democracy.