New Delhi, Sept 24: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, citing a recent report on objections reportedly raised by two Election Commissioners over decisions linked to electoral-roll revision.Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Gandhi alleged that the country’s electoral system was facing a serious crisis and questioned the functioning of the Election Commission.
His remarks came after an investigation by The Indian Express reported that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections on several occasions regarding decisions related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and other electoral-roll matters.
The report said the objections were recorded over a period of several months and related to the manner in which certain decisions were taken within the poll panel.Gandhi said the Election Commission has a fundamental responsibility to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process. He alleged that any compromise with the voting process would have wider implications for democratic institutions.
He also criticised the process through which Gyanesh Kumar was appointed as Chief Election Commissioner, recalling that Opposition representatives had earlier expressed dissent over appointments to the poll panel.Gandhi called on Kumar to resign and said he should disclose information about the issues under discussion within the Election Commission.
He also demanded that the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister be investigated over what he described as serious concerns surrounding the electoral process.The Congress and other Opposition parties are also preparing to initiate a parliamentary process seeking Kumar’s removal, according to party sources.
The Election Commission, however, has disputed the interpretation that the reported objections indicate a breakdown within the poll panel.
The commission has maintained that differences or observations during internal deliberations are part of institutional decision-making and that final decisions were taken by the full commission.
The controversy centres on the functioning of the Election Commission and the process of revising electoral rolls. SIR is intended to review and update electoral rolls and ensure that voter lists contain eligible voters.Gandhi also raised concerns over what he described as the disappearance of the traditional anti-incumbency effect in Indian politics.
He referred to statements by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah about the BJP remaining in power for a long period.The Congress leader argued that elections must retain public credibility and said doubts over the electoral process could affect public confidence in democratic institutions.
The Election Commission’s position and Gandhi’s allegations represent sharply different interpretations of the reported internal objections. The reported disagreements, by themselves, do not establish that elections have been rigged, while the Opposition is using the developments to demand greater accountability from the poll panel.
