Kharge Demands CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s Resignation, Calls for Halt to SIR

New Delhi: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has accused the BJP-led government of shielding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar amid allegations of voter-list irregularities. He questioned the Election Commission’s transparency over the software used in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Kharge alleged that the Election Commission refused to disclose information about the software under the Right to Information Act, citing “trade secrets”. He also claimed that details of 16.18 lakh Form-6 applications in Uttar Pradesh had not been made public and that discrepancies involving 10,470 voters were detected in Pilibhit.

According to Kharge, the findings have prompted an investigation into Forms 6, 7 and 8 across Uttar Pradesh. He alleged collusion between the BJP and the Election Commission and outlined three demands on behalf of the INDIA bloc.

The alliance has called for Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and repeal of the 2023 law that Kharge says protects him. It has also demanded an immediate halt to the SIR process, restoration of names allegedly removed illegally from electoral rolls, and the use of paper ballots in all elections.

Describing the issue as a struggle to protect the Constitution and democracy, Kharge appealed to citizens to participate in the “Save Votes–Save the Nation” march and mega rally at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi on November 1.