Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi has demanded the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, following an Indian Express investigation that revealed two Election Commissioners — Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi — had formally objected at least 14 times in the past 10 months to Kumar’s decisions.

Addressing the media at the Congress headquarters, Gandhi alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah were key conspirators in what he termed “vote chori” (vote theft). He claimed the duo had attacked India’s democratic architecture and would face investigation.

Gandhi said, “If the vote has been destroyed, then our Constitution has been destroyed. This is not small rigging — this is an attack against the Constitution of India.” He added that major decisions were being made in the name of the full Election Commission without the knowledge of other commissioners, calling them “unauthorised and illegal.”

The Election Commission, in its response, maintained that all actions were taken in accordance with law and instructions, arguing that highlighting selective internal notes ignored the larger body of approvals and initiatives.

The controversy has intensified calls for accountability, with opposition parties and civil society demanding reforms to safeguard the independence of India’s electoral institutions.