KHARGE CHALLENGES INDIA’S ELECTORAL PROCESS, DEMANDS RETURN TO BALLOT PAPERS

October 3, 2026

Congress president calls for fresh elections, alleging irregularities in electronic voting and voter-roll revision

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has called for the dissolution of the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies, alleging that elections conducted under the present electoral system have been compromised. He has demanded fresh polls using ballot papers, intensifying the Congress’s criticism of the Election Commission and the ongoing revision of electoral rolls.

Speaking to reporters in Kalaburagi on Saturday, Kharge described the elected governments across the country as illegitimate, arguing that alleged irregularities in the electoral process had undermined the credibility of their mandates. He also accused electronic voting machines (EVMs) of being misused, though he did not establish evidence of widespread manipulation in his remarks.

Kharge raised concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging that errors and arbitrary deletions could exclude eligible voters, particularly among economically disadvantaged communities, workers, Dalits and minorities. He questioned the fairness of an electoral exercise if large numbers of names were removed from individual polling areas and alleged that political workers were attempting to influence the inclusion and deletion of voter names.

The Congress leader also criticised provisions of the 2023 law governing the appointment and service conditions of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners. He objected to changes in the selection committee’s composition and raised concerns about legal immunity for election officials in the discharge of their duties. These criticisms form part of the party’s broader allegations concerning the independence and accountability of the poll body.

Kharge said opposition parties had discussed the electoral-roll revision at an INDIA bloc meeting on September 30 and had agreed to continue protests. He announced that opposition MPs would march to the Election Commission in New Delhi on October 6, with further demonstrations planned in different states.

The Election Commission has not been shown to have endorsed Kharge’s allegations. His statements represent the Congress’s position amid continuing political disputes over EVMs, electoral-roll revision and the institutional framework governing elections.