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India Election Commission voter list controversy

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2026-09-25 16:14 UTC → 2026-09-25 16:33 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Political tension in India has escalated following reports that approximately 130 million names were removed from voter lists across 30 states and union territories during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. Opposition leaders have intensified criticism of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. Rahul Gandhi has demanded Kumar’s resignation, while Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has called for criminal prosecution for treason, describing the removals as an ‘attack on the Constitution’. Mamata Banerjee has demanded Kumar’s arrest and fresh elections in states like West Bengal. Legal challenges have moved to the Supreme Court via a petition by advocate Shailendra Mani Tripathi, seeking the criminal prosecution of CEC Gyanesh Kumar, Senior Deputy Election Commissioner Maneesh Garg, and IT Director General Seema Khanna. The petitioner alleges Kumar made decisions and software modifications without required concurrence from other commissioners. This follows reports that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi filed at least 14 formal objections regarding voter lists and data centralization. Opposition pressure has intensified as the Indian National Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) coordinate protests. In Patna, RJD workers led by district president Uday Yadav held demonstrations, while Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe Patil raised concerns regarding the relationship between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Election Commission. Congress leaders have specifically criticized changes to the appointment process that removed the Chief Justice from the selection committee, and the party has indicated preparations to bring impeachment motions in both houses of Parliament. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has defended its actions, maintaining that internal disagreements are normal and that recent orders resulted from unanimous decisions. Recent developments have further polarized the debate. Mukesh Sahni, leader of the Vikas Sheel Insan Party (VIP), accused the ECI of working for the BJP and made violent remarks toward Kumar during a press conference in Patna. Additionally, CPI(M) leader Thomas Isaac challenged Kumar’s administrative history, alleging his involvement in a past controversy in Kerala involving a suicide note.

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