Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Thursday, 24 September launched a sharp attack on the Election Commission of India (ECI), demanding the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and the scrapping of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in favour of paper ballots. Thackeray cited an investigative media report alleging that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi recorded written dissent on at least 14 occasions over 10 months against decisions taken by the CEC.

Key Allegations and Demands

In a detailed post on X, Thackeray alleged that the CEC did not act independently but was 'compelled' to take arbitrary decisions to suit the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He stated that the dissent recorded by two out of three commissioners was too serious to be dismissed, claiming it proved that 'electoral rolls were manipulated at will.'

Thackeray's four-point demand list includes: the immediate resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar; a high-level independent probe into alleged 'masterminds' directing ECI decisions; the resignation of the incumbent government on grounds of compromised election integrity; and the replacement of EVMs with traditional paper ballots for all future elections.

Specific Irregularities Cited

Thackeray highlighted several specific instances drawn from the media report. He questioned how directives related to voter list software, modification of statutory forms, and mass legal appeals — including reportedly 1.61 million appeals filed in West Bengal — could have been issued without full commission approval. He also cited technical glitches in Goa that allegedly led to the disenfranchisement of 97 verified voters, calling it evidence of deliberate centralisation and systemic manipulation.

What Thackeray Said

'The Chief Election Commissioner ought to resign, certainly, but the government that came to power by leveraging such a spineless Election Commission should also step down,' Thackeray said. 'The fact that there were no celebrations on the streets following the election of a government claiming a majority mandate speaks volumes.'

He commended the two dissenting commissioners for placing their objections on record, and urged all opposition parties across India to unite for a 'nationwide movement' demanding a return to paper ballots.

Context and Broader Significance

Thackeray also addressed a recurring question from political commentators — why high turnout at his rallies has not translated into legislative seats. He argued that the investigative disclosures from within the ECI provide the definitive answer to 'who steals the votes and how.' This comes amid a growing opposition chorus questioning the ECI's institutional independence, a debate that has intensified since the Maharashtra assembly election results.

Critics argue that the pattern of dissent described — two commissioners reportedly sidelined on consequential decisions — raises serious structural questions about collegiate decision-making within the ECI, regardless of one's political affiliation. How the Commission and the government respond to these allegations will determine whether the EVM debate escalates into a sustained constitutional flashpoint ahead of upcoming state polls.