📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Election Commission of India
Politics
Maharashtra Congress accuses ECI‑Net of diluting ERO powers, seeks action against CEC Gyanesh Kumar
✍️ Mid-Day
🗓 29 Sep 2026, 02:46 PM
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The Maharashtra unit of the Indian National Congress has claimed that the Election Commission’s ECI‑Net system has reduced the authority of Election Returning Officers and has called for disciplinary action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The Maharashtra branch of the Indian National Congress lodged a formal complaint alleging that the Election Commission of India’s digital platform, ECI‑Net, has effectively curtailed the statutory powers of Election Returning Officers (EROs) in the state.
According to the party’s statement, the changes introduced through the network have limited the EROs’ ability to make independent decisions on ballot handling, candidate verification and vote counting, thereby undermining the transparency of the electoral process.
The Congress has urged the Election Commission to restore the full authority of EROs and has specifically demanded that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar be held accountable, seeking appropriate disciplinary measures.
The Election Commission has not yet responded to the allegations, and officials said a review of the grievance will be undertaken in accordance with internal procedures.
According to the party’s statement, the changes introduced through the network have limited the EROs’ ability to make independent decisions on ballot handling, candidate verification and vote counting, thereby undermining the transparency of the electoral process.
The Congress has urged the Election Commission to restore the full authority of EROs and has specifically demanded that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar be held accountable, seeking appropriate disciplinary measures.
The Election Commission has not yet responded to the allegations, and officials said a review of the grievance will be undertaken in accordance with internal procedures.