Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar faces opposition demands to scrap voter list revision
The Congress and DMK have called for the removal of the head of the Election Commission, even as the poll body releases readable voter lists across 17 states.
Opposition parties including the Congress and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) have called for the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and demanded the scrapping of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, even as the poll panel moves forward with routine measures to enhance roll transparency across 17 states and Union Territories.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) issued instructions on 15 October 2026 to provide political parties with readable and searchable electoral rolls in both electronic and physical formats. The decision applies to the annual Special Summary Revision (SSR) being conducted in 17 states and Union Territories ahead of upcoming Assembly elections, with final voter lists scheduled for publication on 4 January. ECI officials noted that the summary revision is an annual statutory exercise intended to update voter registries and ensure fair participation.
What the opposition parties are demanding
Despite these administrative steps, senior opposition figures have pressed for structural changes to the poll body. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh stated that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar should step down, asserting that the ECI's IT systems and operational procedures require a comprehensive overhaul. Ramesh also called for the immediate suspension of the SIR exercise, claiming it creates uncertainty for voters.
In Chennai, DMK president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin chaired a meeting of party parliamentarians at Anna Arivalayam, where MPs adopted four resolutions against the ongoing voter roll updates. The DMK announced plans to submit a formal memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu seeking intervention over the revision exercise, which it alleged was rushed in states like Bihar and Tamil Nadu.
| Political party | Primary demand | Electoral roll position | Voting system preference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Congress | Removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar | Immediate suspension of SIR | Searchable voter lists provided to all parties |
| DMK | Sack CEC Gyanesh Kumar | Restore pre-SIR voter lists | Paper ballots with 100% VVPAT slip counting |
Administrative background and next steps
The ECI has completed the SIR across 17 states and Union Territories, while conducting a separate special revision in Assam due to statutory requirements. Under the latest guidelines, candidates and recognised parties in poll-bound states will receive both draft and final copies of electoral rolls, which will also be available for purchase through Electoral Registration Officers.
The DMK has additionally demanded a return to paper ballot voting and 100 per cent verification of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips. DMK leaders confirmed they will pursue the matter with the President while continuing legal challenges and public demonstrations.
Key numbers
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Final electoral roll publication date | 4 January | Election Commission of India |
| States and UTs undergoing revision | 17 | Election Commission of India |
| Date of ECI readable voter roll order | 15 October 2026 | Election Commission of India |
In this story
| Name | Role in the story |
|---|---|
| Election Commission of India | India's poll watchdog conducting the Special Summary Revision. |
| Gyanesh Kumar | Chief Election Commissioner whose removal is demanded by opposition parties. |
| Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | Ruling Tamil Nadu party petitioning the President against voter roll revisions. |
| Indian National Congress | Opposition party demanding suspension of SIR and removal of the CEC. |
