New Delhi – Opposition parties and activist groups are urging the resignation of India’s chief election commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar, following a report that his office may have removed millions of names from the voter list during the latest verification round.
Trump’s earlier endorsement
President Donald Trump praised Kumar last month for insisting that Indian voters present a photo ID, a stance that contrasts with the United States’ more permissive voter‑identification rules. The commendation highlighted Kumar’s commitment to election integrity, a point that supporters continue to cite.
Allegations of voter‑list manipulation
The Indian Express disclosed that two de‑facto deputies of the Election Commission lodged at least 14 formal objections over a ten‑month period, questioning decisions related to voter rolls, registration procedures, and the commission’s digital systems. Political analysts estimate that roughly 130 million names have been struck off the list since the revision process began last year.
India’s 2024 national election saw nearly 650 million citizens cast ballots, underscoring the scale of the electorate that could be affected by any changes to the rolls.
Government and party responses
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Election Commission have denied any wrongdoing. The commission described differing views as “a normal part of deliberation in any institution.”
Opposition leaders, including members of the Congress party, have called for criminal prosecution of Kumar, labeling the alleged actions as treasonous. The youth‑led Cockroach Janta Party announced plans for nationwide protests, branding Kumar the “biggest anti‑national.”
Kumar’s defense
In a press briefing last year, Kumar asserted, “For the Election Commission, there is neither an opposition nor a ruling side; everyone is equal.” He has not publicly responded to the recent allegations, and the commission’s statement placed his remarks near the top of its official response.
Background on the election chief
Gyanesh Kumar, 62, entered the Indian Administrative Service in 1988 after earning a B.Tech in civil engineering from a government college in Uttar Pradesh. He served in the ministries of defence and interior affairs before retiring in January 2024. Two months later, he was appointed as an election commissioner and subsequently elevated to chief commissioner in February 2025.
Since taking office, Kumar’s relationship with opposition parties has been strained. Earlier this year, a parliamentary motion to remove him was rejected.
Public reaction
Graffiti labeling Kumar a traitor has appeared near his ancestral home in northern India, reflecting the heightened emotions surrounding the controversy.
While the allegations remain under investigation, the episode highlights the challenges of managing a voter base of one billion people and the importance of transparent, accountable election administration.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
