Pressure is mounting on India’s top election official as opposition parties demand the resignation of India Election Chief Gyanesh Kumar over claims of widespread manipulation of voter lists. The controversy centres on the ongoing verification of nearly one billion voters and has intensified in recent days.
Analysts estimate that around 130 million names have been removed from the electoral rolls since the latest revision process began last year. Nearly 650 million people cast ballots in the 2024 national election. Opposition groups argue that the deletions and related procedural changes are designed to favour the ruling side. The Election Commission, the government and the Bharatiya Janata Party have firmly rejected these charges.
Criticism of Kumar, who took charge as Chief Election Commissioner in February 2025, rose sharply after a detailed report in the Indian Express. The newspaper revealed that his two senior colleagues had filed at least 14 formal objections over ten months. Those objections covered decisions on voter rolls, registration rules and the commission’s digital systems. Kumar and the other commissioners have not spoken publicly on the specific claims. The Election Commission simply noted that differing views form a normal part of institutional discussion.
The youth-led Cockroach Janta Party has announced nationwide protests for Friday and labelled Kumar the “biggest anti-national.” The main opposition Congress party has gone further, calling for him to face criminal prosecution for treason. Graffiti describing him as a traitor has appeared near his ancestral home in northern India.
Kumar, 62, is a former civil servant who joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1988 after studying civil engineering. He served in the defence and interior ministries before retiring in early 2024 and later joining the Election Commission. From the start of his tenure he has faced opposition hostility. Lawmakers tried to remove him earlier this year but parliament rejected the motion.
US President Donald Trump recently praised Kumar for requiring photo identification from voters, describing American rules as more relaxed. That endorsement came only weeks before the latest wave of criticism. Kumar has previously insisted that the Election Commission treats every party equally and has no ruling or opposition side.
As protests are planned and political attacks continue, the future of the India Election Chief remains under intense scrutiny.
