Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday called for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, while reiterating his allegations of “vote chori” and irregularities in the electoral process.
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Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Gandhi alleged that the Election Commission’s functioning had raised serious concerns about the integrity of elections and demanded that the CEC step down. His remarks came amid reports of differences among members of the poll panel.
Rahul Gandhi Repeats ‘Vote Chori’ Allegations
Gandhi claimed that irregularities in electoral processes had affected several elections, including the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and Assembly polls. He referred to his earlier allegations concerning electoral rolls and questioned how anti-incumbency trends had changed in states such as Haryana, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh.
These claims are allegations made by Gandhi and the Congress and have not been established as findings of an adjudicating authority.
CEC Gyanesh Kumar Faces Opposition Criticism
Gandhi also criticised the process through which Gyanesh Kumar was appointed Chief Election Commissioner. He said he had submitted a dissent note during the appointment process and argued that the Election Commission should remain independent from executive influence.
He further urged Kumar to “turn approver”, while referring to reported differences between the CEC and the other Election Commissioners.
Reports of Differences Within Election Commission
The latest political confrontation follows an Indian Express report stating that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had recorded objections to decisions taken in the Commission’s name on at least 14 occasions over a 10-month period.
The reported differences have triggered fresh criticism from opposition parties, with demands for greater scrutiny of the poll panel’s functioning.
