Congress Demands Major Changes in Election Commission Amid Allegations of Poll Manipulation

In a significant political move, the Congress party has demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, citing allegations of electoral manipulation. Following a crucial meeting of the Congress Working Committee, the party called for the restoration of millions of names removed from electoral rolls and criticized the integrity of the electoral process. With prominent leaders like Rahul Gandhi emphasizing the need for accountability, the Congress vows to resist these alleged injustices through various channels until their demands are met. This situation raises critical questions about the transparency and fairness of elections in India.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 29, 2026, 15:49 IST

Congress Calls for Resignation of Chief Election Commissioner

New Delhi: On Tuesday, the Congress party urged for the immediate dismissal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, the suspension of the SIR, and the reinstatement of over 13 crore names that were removed from the electoral rolls, alongside a call for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's resignation due to alleged electoral manipulation.

This demand emerged following a two-and-a-half-hour meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), led by party president Mallikarjun Kharge and attended by prominent figures such as Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and general secretaries including Jairam Ramesh and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

During the press briefing, Ramesh noted that Rahul Gandhi spoke for approximately 20-25 minutes, emphasizing that the Election Commission's disclosures are a result of Congress's persistent efforts.

Ramesh stated, "Rahul Gandhi has consistently raised concerns regarding elections in states like Haryana, Karnataka, and Maharashtra, and now his assertions have been validated."

He further claimed, "Elections in our nation lack fairness and transparency, resembling match-fixing between the Election Commission and the Prime Minister and Home Minister duo."

According to Ramesh, Rahul Gandhi articulated that the Congress is not merely an opposition party but a force of resistance.

A resolution passed by the CWC acknowledged that what began as Rahul Gandhi's individual belief has transformed into a nationwide demand for accountability and the restoration of integrity within India's electoral framework.

The resolution stated, "In alignment with the national sentiment, the CWC resolves to demand the immediate resignation of the CEC, who has lost all moral and institutional authority, and the suspension of the SIR due to serious concerns regarding the integrity of the electoral rolls being prepared through it."

Additionally, the CWC called for the restoration of 13 crore 30 lakh names that were removed from the electoral rolls.

The resolution condemned the alleged 'vote theft' orchestrated by the CEC on behalf of the Prime Minister and Home Minister, asserting that only their resignations could safeguard the constitution and democracy.

The Congress party vowed to oppose this 'brazen theft' of the people's voting rights through various means, including Parliament, the courts, and public demonstrations, until justice is served and the Election Commission is reinstated as an independent authority.

The struggle to restore universal adult franchise is deemed by the Congress as significant as the freedom struggle itself, with a commitment to see it through to a rightful conclusion.

Venugopal emphasized that Kumar lacks the moral authority to remain in his position even for a day, warning that the party would escalate its resistance for his resignation.

He described Kumar as merely a tool for those in power, stating, "When dictators lose public confidence, they resort to extraordinary measures to maintain control. His actions regarding the SIR cannot occur without the approval of the Prime Minister and Home Minister."

Venugopal also highlighted the moral obligation of the Prime Minister in this matter, reiterating the demand for his resignation on ethical grounds.

This meeting followed reports indicating that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections multiple times over the past ten months regarding decisions related to the SIR that were made without their input.

In response to the scrutiny faced over the SIR process, the Election Commission maintained that differing opinions are a standard aspect of institutional discussions and that all orders are legally sanctioned and adhere to established procedures.