Following the Supreme Court’s review of a petition requesting the suspension of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh stated that the court has an important chance to restore public trust in the Election Commission. He noted that the bench has requested a response without issuing any immediate directions. Ramesh made this announcement on the social media platform X, highlighting the ongoing concerns related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Ramesh emphasised the significance of the case, citing troubling revelations regarding the execution of the SIR, criticisms from both current and former Supreme Court judges, and questionable deletions from the electoral rolls. He asserted that the Supreme Court’s actions could help reinforce public faith in an essential democratic institution.

By stating that the apex court is not yet making any interim rulings, Ramesh underlined the importance of evaluating the situation carefully before taking any decisive actions. He remarked that this moment presents an opportunity for the court to affirm the integrity of the Election Commission.

Concerns Over Election Commission Leadership

Ramesh drew a comparison between the current leadership of the Election Commission and prior administrators, noting the goodwill cultivated over decades since India’s first Chief Election Commissioner, Sukumar Sen. He observed that the historical reputation of the Election Commission relied on its long-standing principles of propriety and competence, which he claims are not shared by Gyanesh Kumar.

He referenced past judgments whereby the Supreme Court has relied on the Election Commission and its officials to conduct their responsibilities with fairness. According to Ramesh, this trust has been undermined under Kumar’s leadership, which he characterises as lacking integrity.

Ramesh stated that the issues surrounding the current administration include alleged procedural breaches in managing voter enrolment. He accused Kumar of misleading the public regarding modifications made to electoral forms, claiming they were made without proper legal framework. According to him, these actions are detrimental to the constitutional values upheld by the Election Commission.

Allegations and Legal Proceedings

The Supreme Court, on October 5, did not grant an ex-parte interim order regarding Kumar’s suspension amid claims that decisions regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) were made independently. The court highlighted the necessity for a response from the Election Commission and other stakeholders prior to making a decision.

The petition filed by an unnamed party cites fourteen objections raised by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi between October 2025 and August 2026. Specific grievances include allegations of unauthorised communications issued in the name of the Election Commission, failure to distribute agendas and meeting minutes, and changes to the electoral roll frameworks without the required approval.

One of the primary concerns involves alterations to Form 6 during the SIR process, with allegations that such changes required modifications to existing electoral regulations. It was claimed that Joshi questioned these alterations along with inspections into the electoral roll database access, leading to further scrutiny of the Election Commission’s procedures.

The petition also references appeals made by the Election Commission against voter inclusion, raising questions about their legality and authority. It invokes Section 18 of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023, stipulating that Commission decisions should ideally be unanimous. Among the relief measures sought are the preservation of electoral data and a ban on further changes to Form 6 pending the outcome of legal proceedings. The petitioner has also called for regulations to limit Gyanesh Kumar’s actions as CEC while ensuring that the other two Commissioners manage the Commission’s functions.

Long or Short, get news the way you like. No ads. No redirections. Download Newspin and Stay Alert, The CSR Journal Mobile app, for fast, crisp, clean updates!

App Store –  https://apps.apple.com/in/app/newspin/id6746449540 

Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inventifweb.newspin&pcampaignid=web_share