Protests Intensify Against CEC Gyanesh Kumar as Political Leaders and Activists Demand Resignation

Protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar follow allegations of irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Critics claim these revisions resulted in the arbitrary deletion of voters. Reports of internal dissent emerged within the Election Commission of India (ECI). Other commissioners reportedly objected to specific revision decisions. A vigilance inquiry into a 2006 case involving the tenure of Kumar as a civil servant in Kerala added to the controversy.

Opposition leaders led coordinated marches on October 4, 2026. The Cockroach Janta Party held a protest at Shivaji Park on October 2, 2026. Leaders from Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) accused the ECI of functioning as an extended wing of the ruling party.

1. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced on October 4, 2026, that it flagged 130 million names (13 crore) in the draft electoral roll. These entries were marked as dead, absent, shifted, or duplicate. The party stated these names were flagged for verification rather than deleted. This distinction aims to address concerns regarding the integrity of the electoral roll revision process.

2. The Supreme Court will hear petitions on October 5, 2026, that challenge the authority of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar to act without the concurrence of other election commissioners. The court will address disputes regarding the scope of the CEC's administrative powers.

3. On October 4, 2026, the Delhi Police transferred sexual harassment complaints from journalists to the Crime Branch for investigation. This transfer follows allegations of police misconduct during protests at Jantar Mantar on October 3, 2026.

4. Six Congress leaders arrested for defacing the CEC's residence in Agra were released on bail on October 4, 2026, from Agra district jail. This legal development follows the initial arrests made on September 29, 2026.

1. Raj Thackeray demanded the cancellation of the Special Intensive Revision process and a return to paper ballots during a protest march in Mumbai on October 4, 2026. He called on opposition parties nationwide to unite for a joint campaign.

2. The Press Club of India condemned the Delhi Police's treatment of journalists covering anti-CEC protests on October 4, 2026. Three women journalists alleged sexual harassment by police personnel while covering protests at Jantar Mantar on October 3, 2026.

3. Police detained AISA national president Neha Bora on October 4, 2026, as she attempted to march toward Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. Authorities released her from the Narela Industrial Area police station.

4. Parties in the INDIA bloc will protest outside the Election Commission of India office in New Delhi on October 7, 2026. The demonstrators demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.