Why Is India’s Election Commission Once Again at the Center of Controversy?

India’s Election Commission (ECI) has once again come under scrutiny following new allegations of irregularities against its chief commissioner. As one of the largest democratic institutions globally, the three-member commission is led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, with Sukvir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi serving as commissioners.

According to a report published by the Indian Express, for several months, the two commissioners have repeatedly raised concerns about the integrity of the voter database, changes made to the process of adding new voters, and the security of the electoral roll. Commissioners Sandhu and Joshi have objected to decisions being made without their knowledge. The report notes that at least 14 times in the past ten months, these two commissioners were excluded from the decision-making process. Opposition leaders have intensified demands for Chief Election Commissioner Kumar to resign.

In a public statement, the Election Commission described the “divergence of views” as part of its decision-making process. This controversy has emerged at a time when the commission is conducting a nation-wide review of the voter database. The commission stated that under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) program, it aims to remove ineligible names from the electoral roll. The recent voter list had last been updated approximately 25 years ago, and during this period, around 130 million names of deceased individuals, people who have left the country, or relocated have become necessary to remove, according to the statement.

However, Chief Election Commissioner Kumar has been accused of manipulating the voter list during elections in favor of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), allegations that both the BJP and the commission have denied. Following recent revelations, there are growing questions about Kumar’s management style within the commission itself. Opposition leaders have called for Kumar’s resignation and some have even demanded his arrest. Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has accused the commission of vote manipulation, labeling it an act of treason against the country.