YS Sharmila Reddy Targets CEC Gyanesh Kumar Over Voter-List Revision

Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee chief YS Sharmila Reddy has sharply criticised Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the ongoing debate surrounding the revision of electoral rolls. Addressing a gathering in Vijayawada, Sharmila alleged that a large number of names had been removed from electoral rolls across the country and claimed that around 13 crore voters had been affected. She accused the Election Commission of compromising its independence and questioned the manner in which decisions concerning electoral rolls were being taken. These are allegations made by Sharmila and the Congress; the Election Commission has maintained that its decisions are taken in accordance with the law and that internal differences or observations are part of the normal functioning of a multi-member constitutional body.

Sharmila demanded Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation or removal and called for an inquiry into the allegations. She also sought restoration of the voters whose names she claimed had been removed and demanded accountability if any wrongdoing is established. The Congress has raised similar demands during protests in Vijayawada and elsewhere, while the ongoing controversy centres on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and questions over the functioning and independence of the Election Commission. Gyanesh Kumar was appointed an Election Commissioner in March 2024 and later became Chief Election Commissioner.