Kolkata, September 23, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday demanded the immediate arrest and removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls resulted in genuine voters being removed from the lists.
In a Facebook Live address, Banerjee also called for fresh Assembly elections in West Bengal using the previous electoral rolls. Her remarks came amid a political controversy over reported differences among Election Commission members regarding aspects of the SIR exercise.
Banerjee alleged that electronic voting machines, voter-list manipulation and administrative machinery were misused to benefit the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in elections. She claimed the alleged irregularities had compromised the electoral process and demanded fresh voting based on the earlier voter lists.
“Now, I demand that fresh voting should be conducted according to the old voter lists. Gyanesh Kumar has been exposed,” Banerjee said.
She further alleged that Kumar was responsible for the BJP’s return to power at the Centre in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and subsequently for its victories in Assembly elections in several states.
“He should not be just impeached. He should be arrested also,” Banerjee said, while alleging that Kumar had misused police and central forces during elections.
The Election Commission, however, has maintained that the reported objections raised by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi related to operational aspects of the draft-stage SIR process and were part of normal administrative scrutiny. The poll panel has said decisions concerning the SIR were taken unanimously with the approval of all three Election Commissioners.
The Election Commission’s official directory currently lists Gyanesh Kumar as Chief Election Commissioner, with Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi as the two Election Commissioners.
Banerjee also criticised the BJP-led government in West Bengal, alleging deterioration in the law-and-order situation and accusing the state police of functioning as an “extended arm” of the BJP.
She cautioned the police against what she described as excessive political involvement, saying that governments change but police personnel and their families remain in the state.
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