‘Vote Chori’ Allegations Rock India: Opposition Pushes for Impeachment of CEC

Date: August 19, 2025

The political tension in India has escalated after a significant controversy involving Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The opposition parties have begun considering the option of impeaching the CEC following accusations of electoral malpractice, famously dubbed as the ‘vote chori’ row. This allegation has sparked nationwide debates about the integrity of India’s electoral system and the impartiality of the Election Commission.

What Sparked the Controversy?

The controversy erupted after several opposition parties, led by the Congress, accused the Election Commission under CEC Gyanesh Kumar of allowing electoral manipulation during the recent state elections. These allegations primarily focus on the mishandling of the voter list and tampering of vote counting processes, which, according to the opposition, led to unfair victories for the ruling party in multiple constituencies.

The ‘vote chori’ (vote theft) claims are based on the opposition’s assertions that the Election Commission failed to act on numerous complaints about discrepancies in the voter rolls. Reports suggest that thousands of voters, especially from constituencies traditionally supporting opposition parties, were allegedly removed from the rolls without valid reasons. This has led to a call for accountability from the ruling party and, specifically, from the CEC.

Opposition’s Response

The opposition, led by senior leaders from Congress, Trinamool Congress (TMC), and the Communist Party of India (CPI), has called for the immediate resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar. These parties allege that the CEC’s office turned a blind eye to multiple reports of electoral fraud and did not take corrective measures during the election process.

In a press conference, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi stated, “The entire election process was compromised, and the CEC must be held responsible for allowing such a lapse in democracy. We cannot sit back while our votes are being stolen under the watch of an incompetent commission.”

With the call for Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, the opposition is now contemplating an impeachment motion. The political parties have stated that the process of impeachment will move forward if the government does not take immediate action regarding the alleged electoral fraud.

The Impeachment Process

Impeaching a Chief Election Commissioner is not a straightforward process. According to the Constitution of India, the CEC can only be removed from office through a motion passed by both Houses of Parliament, which requires a two-thirds majority. Additionally, the motion must be based on grounds of proven misconduct or incapacity. If the opposition succeeds in gathering sufficient support from members of Parliament, the motion could proceed to a vote.

However, the opposition faces an uphill task, as the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) holds a majority in the Lok Sabha, and securing a two-thirds majority would require significant cross-party support. The BJP has already expressed full backing for CEC Gyanesh Kumar, calling the allegations “politically motivated” and “unsubstantiated.”

Election Commission Responds

In response to the allegations, the Election Commission, under Gyanesh Kumar’s leadership, has denied any wrongdoing. The Commission issued a statement clarifying that all complaints regarding electoral malpractices were investigated thoroughly, and no evidence of manipulation was found. The CEC also emphasized that the Commission adheres strictly to constitutional mandates and aims to ensure fair elections in the country.

Furthermore, Gyanesh Kumar remarked, “The accusations against the Election Commission are baseless. Our commitment to free and fair elections remains unwavering, and we will continue to uphold the integrity of the electoral process.”

Despite the Commission’s defense, the opposition parties remain adamant in their demand for an independent inquiry into the alleged discrepancies. They argue that without a transparent investigation, the public’s trust in the election process will continue to erode.

What Does This Mean for Indian Democracy?

The ongoing ‘vote chori’ controversy has brought into focus the role of the Election Commission and the importance of its neutrality in conducting free and fair elections. While accusations of electoral malpractice are not new, the scale of the allegations against the CEC has raised concerns about the transparency and credibility of the Indian electoral system.

The possibility of impeachment has further polarized the political landscape, with both the ruling party and the opposition accusing each other of undermining democratic institutions for political gain. Critics of the opposition argue that the impeachment move is a reactionary measure to cover up their own failures during the elections, while supporters of the opposition believe that this is an essential step to restore faith in the democratic process.