Election Commission Controversy: CJP Demands CEC Resignation Over Voter Roll Row

Why the Election Commission is Trending in India

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has become a focal point of national debate following a public demand for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. On September 24, 2026, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), led by founder Abhijeet Dipke, issued a 48-hour ultimatum for the CEC to step down, threatening a nationwide agitation termed "Jantar Mantar 2.0" if the demand is not met [1].

Internal Dissent and the SIR Controversy

The current tension stems from an investigation by The Indian Express, which revealed significant friction within the three-member commission. Between October 2025 and August 2026, Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi reportedly filed on-record objections at least 14 times regarding decisions related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls [1].

The dissent centers on the administration of voter databases. Specifically, Commissioners Sandhu and Joshi raised concerns over the deletion and restoration of names during the SIR process, changes to Form 6 for new registrations, and the growing centralization of access to the electoral database [2]. A critical point of contention is whether certain communications were issued in the Commission's name without the necessary approval of the full body [2].

Impact on Voter Eligibility

The scale of the Special Intensive Revision has raised alarms regarding electoral integrity. The exercise resulted in the exclusion of over 13 crore names from draft rolls across 30 states and union territories [2]. Furthermore, more than 33 lakh voters received notices citing "logical discrepancies," leading the Supreme Court to question if these notices were issued in a mechanical fashion [2].

Procedural Gaps in the 2023 EC Act

The controversy highlights a perceived gap in the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023. While the law encourages unanimity, it allows decisions to be made by a simple majority (2-1) [2]. Crucially, the CEC does not possess an automatic casting vote, meaning the other two commissioners hold equal weight in decision-making. The current row suggests a breakdown in this collegial structure, as two of the three members were the ones raising objections [2].

Summary of CJP's Demands

• Immediate resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
• Initiation of criminal proceedings against the CEC.
• An independent inquiry into the SIR proceedings and restoration of January 2025 electoral rolls.
• Repeal of the 2023 Act governing the appointment of Election Commissioners [1].