Pinarayi Vijayan Demands Removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar Amid Electoral Roll Row

Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly Pinarayi Vijayan has formally demanded the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, citing concerns over the integrity of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The senior CPI(M) leader issued the call on September 25, 2026, following reports of internal dissent within the three-member Election Commission of India regarding voter registration procedures, the deletion of names, and changes to voter forms.

Unlike standard annual summary revisions that omit door-to-door visits, the Special Intensive Revision entails extensive field-level verification. Under constitutional provisions, the Chief Election Commissioner can be removed exclusively on grounds of proven incapacity or misbehaviour through the same procedure established for a Supreme Court judge.

The Special Intensive Revision name reflects the exercise of discretionary authority granted by Section 21(3) of the 1950 law. During this process, Booth Level Officers conduct residential visits to distribute enumeration forms and verify details, making multiple attempts before designating an elector as untraceable.

Mr. Vijayan's demand follows reports that two Election Commissioners had raised objections to several administrative decisions made by the poll panel. These reported disagreements involve the addition and deletion of names from electoral rolls, modifications to registration forms, and protocols governing access to voter data. In a public statement, the former Kerala Chief Minister argued that these internal revelations raise grave questions about the functioning and independence of the Election Commission. He further alleged that the current revision process is being manipulated to serve the political interests of the BJP and Sangh Parivar, asserting that the right to vote must be protected from such influence.

This development marks a significant escalation in the opposition's ongoing efforts to challenge the leadership of the Election Commission. Sources indicate that opposition parties are preparing to submit fresh notices in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha to move a formal motion for the removal of the CEC. This would represent the third such attempt by the opposition to initiate removal proceedings against Mr. Kumar.

Previous attempts have faced procedural hurdles. A notice signed by 130 Lok Sabha members and 63 Rajya Sabha members was rejected by the respective presiding officers on April 7. Additionally, a separate notice moved by 73 Rajya Sabha MPs on April 24 remains pending in the Upper House. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh has indicated that if the government convenes a special session of Parliament, opposition members intend to submit new notices to the Speaker and the Rajya Sabha Chairperson. The opposition's strategy remains focused on leveraging these internal reports to press for a change in the commission's leadership, with the next procedural steps contingent on the parliamentary schedule.