Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has intensified his criticism of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar amid the ongoing controversy over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Gandhi alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was using the CEC to “steal elections,” while the Congress and INDIA bloc have demanded Kumar’s resignation and a halt to the SIR exercise.
Gandhi also questioned the legal protection available to the Chief Election Commissioner. His remarks come amid a wider political dispute over changes to electoral rolls and reported differences within the Election Commission.
Rahul Gandhi Questions Legal Protection for CEC
In a social media post, Rahul Gandhi questioned why CEC Gyanesh Kumar has what he described as lifelong broad legal protection. Gandhi then alleged that the protection exists because Prime Minister Narendra Modi uses the CEC to “steal elections.” These are Gandhi’s political allegations and have not been established as findings by a court.
The controversy follows reports of disagreements within the Election Commission over decisions linked to electoral rolls and digital systems. Reports have said Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi raised objections on multiple occasions. The Election Commission has maintained that internal discussions and differing views are part of institutional functioning and has said SIR-related decisions followed the prescribed process.
Why Is Congress Demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s Resignation?
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has demanded the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar, along with the suspension of SIR.
At a Congress Working Committee meeting, Kharge also called for the publication of detailed information about additions, deletions and corrections in electoral rolls. The Congress has argued that voters whose names are removed should receive prior information, reasons for the deletion and an opportunity to appeal.
The Congress Working Committee has also demanded the restoration of 13.3 crore names that it claims were removed from electoral rolls during the revision process. The figure represents the Congress’s claim; the broader issue of how the deletions were counted and how many names were ultimately restored remains part of the ongoing dispute.
What Is the Opposition’s Objection to SIR?
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) has become a major political issue because of concerns over voter-list changes.
Opposition parties argue that large-scale deletions could exclude eligible voters if the process does not provide adequate notice and opportunities for correction or appeal. Congress has therefore called for greater transparency in constituency-wise and booth-wise electoral-roll data.
The Election Commission, meanwhile, has defended its institutional process and said decisions relating to SIR were taken unanimously.
Supreme Court to Hear Challenge to SIR and CEC’s Functioning
The controversy has also reached the Supreme Court. A petition challenging the functioning of CEC Gyanesh Kumar and the legality of the SIR process has been accepted for hearing.
The petition raises questions about whether certain decisions were taken collectively by the Election Commission, as required under the constitutional and statutory framework. It also challenges aspects of the SIR process.
The Supreme Court proceedings could provide further legal clarity on the issues surrounding the Election Commission’s functioning and the electoral-roll revision process.
5 Key Takeaways
- Rahul Gandhi has accused PM Modi of using CEC Gyanesh Kumar to “steal elections.”
- Congress has demanded Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and suspension of SIR.
- Congress claims 13.3 crore names were removed from electoral rolls.
- The Election Commission has defended its procedures and said SIR decisions were taken unanimously.
- The Supreme Court is set to hear a petition challenging aspects of the CEC’s functioning and the SIR process.
