Posters, Online Petition and Legal Challenge Put Election Body Chief Gyanesh Kumar Under Pressure

Political pressure on Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar intensified on Friday after the Congress put up posters in the national capital demanding his removal, amid a growing dispute over the functioning of the Election Commission and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The Delhi Congress OBC wing displayed posters at the ITO intersection carrying the message, “Gyanesh Hatao, Chunav Aayog Bachao” (Remove Gyanesh, Save the Election Commission).

The campaign came a day after Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi called for Kumar’s resignation following a report by The Indian Express concerning the functioning of the Election Commission and alleged objections raised by Election Commissioners over certain decisions, including those linked to the SIR exercise.

Gandhi has alleged that concerns raised within the poll panel were being disregarded and has questioned the credibility of the electoral process. The Congress leader also criticised Kumar during a press conference in New Delhi and demanded his resignation. The Election Commission has rejected the suggestion that internal differences indicate a lack of consensus in its decision-making. Responding to the report, the poll body said decisions taken over the past year were unanimous and that differences in views and observations are part of normal institutional deliberations.

The BJP has criticised Gandhi’s allegations. BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari accused the Congress leader of making political claims after failing to gain public support through democratic means. The Congress has expanded its campaign against the Chief Election Commissioner through multiple channels. The Indian Youth Congress launched an online petition on Thursday seeking Kumar’s removal following the Indian Express report. The petition, titled “Gyanesh, It’s Done Bro”, also seeks an investigation into the electoral process and voter rolls, the release of electoral records and internal objections, and legal action against those found responsible for any wrongdoing.

The youth wing said the campaign was intended to take the debate over electoral transparency and accountability beyond social media and encourage greater public participation, particularly among young people. A separate legal challenge has also been filed before the Kolhapur Bench of the Bombay High Court against Gyanesh Kumar and the Election Commission. The petitioners have sought the withdrawal of 14 administrative orders and changes that they allege were introduced unilaterally by the poll panel.

The petition also seeks a halt to the ongoing SIR exercise in Maharashtra and calls for the restoration of names removed from electoral rolls during the process. The petitioners have further sought postponement of upcoming elections until fresh voter lists are prepared and approved. The developments add another layer to the ongoing political dispute over the Election Commission, electoral rolls and the SIR process. While opposition parties have raised concerns about the poll body's functioning, the Election Commission has maintained that its decisions have been taken through established institutional processes and that differing views during deliberations are normal.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from NDTV.