CPI(M) MP John Brittas has written directly to President Droupadi Murmu, demanding her 'urgent intervention' to remove Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and halt the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). The move follows an Indian Express report claiming Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi filed at least 14 formal objections against the CEC’s orders over the past 10 months.
The CPI(M) Politburo issued a statement arguing that the disclosures expose a compromised Election Commission, not just a flawed process. "People have lost confidence in a compromised Election Commission, for which CEC Gyanesh Kumar should be held accountable," the statement read. It emphasized that under the law, all three commissioners are equal, and differences must be settled by majority or unanimity, a standard the Left claims has been violated.
CPI General Secretary D Raja labeled the situation a "grave crisis," describing Kumar as the face of an "electoral purge." He linked the current turmoil to the BJP government's 2023 changes to the appointment process, arguing these moves weakened institutional independence. Raja stated, "The Supreme Court should examine the decisions of the ECI... This crisis is inseparable from the BJP government's 2023 changes."
The stakes are high. Brittas noted in his letter that over 13 crore names have reportedly been struck from draft rolls across 30 states and union territories, while over 33 lakh Delhi voters received notices. He urged the Union Government to take a clear stand before the Supreme Court to seek annulment of the SIR wherever found unlawful.
CPI(ML) Liberation General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya went further, demanding the immediate impeachment of Kumar and the cancellation of all elections held since the SIR launched. He also called for a constitutional amendment to ensure the selection committee includes the Leader of the Opposition, per Supreme Court guidelines.
The Election Commission rejected these claims. EC officials stated that all decisions, including those regarding the SIR, were unanimous and approved by both Election Commissioners and the CEC. They maintained that the two commissioners merely flagged specific decisions on voter database handling in various states but did not block the process. The next step lies with the President, who will decide whether to intervene or let the parliamentary proceedings on CEC removal continue.