Congress escalated its protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on September 28, 2026. Demonstrations were organised in state capitals and various districts throughout the country as part of a concerted effort to push for his resignation. This action is occurring shortly before a scheduled meeting of the INDIA bloc on September 30, aimed at addressing the ongoing controversy surrounding the Election Commission.

The demonstrations coincide with heightened accusations from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has countered Congress’s claims. Union Health Minister JP Nadda specifically targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the opposition is misleading the public and creating confusion regarding the Election Commission’s actions.

Congress general secretary KC Venugopal characterised the protests as a “natural reaction” from citizens discontented with alleged anti-constitutional actions by the CEC that threaten democracy. Various opposition parties, including the CPI, CPI(M), Trinamool Congress, and Shiv Sena, have rallied for Kumar’s resignation in light of these sentiments.

Allegations Regarding Election Commission Decisions

The controversy emerged following reports from the Indian Express, which indicated that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised concerns regarding decisions related to the Special Electoral Roll (SIR) process at least 14 times over a span of ten months. Key issues reportedly included the management of voter deletions and access to electoral-roll databases.

In response, the Election Commission has firmly rejected claims that these objections signify institutional dissent. The poll panel clarified that the issues raised were part of regular administrative procedures and that all decisions made, including those regarding the SIR, had received unanimous consent from all three commissioners.

As discontent escalated, Congress state units took to the streets in several states, including Gujarat, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Assam, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi, to demand Kumar’s resignation. In some locations, police intervened, resulting in the detention of numerous protestors. Water cannons were employed against Congress workers in Jaipur to manage the crowd, while other protests across the country featured symbolic acts, such as the burning of effigies of Gyanesh Kumar.

Opposition’s Unified Stance on Voter Rights

In an expression of solidarity, various opposition parties are advocating for a united front amid the ongoing crisis. The CPI(M) General Secretary MA Baby, alongside other Left leaders, held a march in Delhi to commemorate the 119th birth anniversary of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, pledging to defend the right to vote and the democratic process.

Congress leaders including Rahul Gandhi and Karti Chidambaram have emphasised that the situation reflects a systematic attempt at disenfranchising voters. Gandhi cited concerns related to the SIR process, alleging that only one out of 728 residents remains on the voter list in a specific area, labelling it as a “method of vote theft.”

Responding to the opposition’s allegations, Union Minister JP Nadda stated that the Election Commission has countered all falsehoods related to its operations, asserting that repeated untruths do not equate to reality. He addressed Rahul Gandhi directly, emphasizing that merely repeating a lie does not establish its veracity.

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