India poll chief Gyanesh Kumar under pressure over alleged electoral-roll manipulation
INDA•Opposition groups are demanding the resignation of election chief Gyanesh Kumar over alleged voter-list manipulation. Analysts estimate 130 million names have been removed from voter lists since revisions began last year.
1. Pressure over voter rolls
Opposition groups are demanding Kumar's resignation over allegations of widespread voter-list manipulation during verification of the country's one billion voters. Kumar has denied the allegations, while government ministers, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party and the Election Commission have also rejected the charges.
2. Objections and estimates
Criticism intensified after a newspaper report reportedly said Kumar's two deputies had raised at least 14 formal objections over 10 months concerning voter rolls, registration procedures and the commission's digital systems. Political analysts estimate 130 million names have been struck off voter lists since the latest revisions began last year; nearly 650 million people voted in the 2024 national election.
3. Calls for removal
A youth-led group has threatened nationwide protests demanding Kumar's ouster, and the Congress party has called for his criminal prosecution. Parliament rejected an opposition motion to remove him earlier this year. The Election Commission said differing views and observations are a normal part of institutional deliberations.
