Full Breakdown
Election-Commission Row Over “Special Intensive Revision” of Voter Rolls
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
The Election Commission of India (ECI) is under intense political scrutiny after an Indian Express investigation revealed that two of its three members—Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi—recorded at least 14 written objections over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Opposition parties allege that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar acted unilaterally to purge millions of voters, potentially favouring the ruling BJP. The BJP and the ECI deny any wrongdoing, insisting that all SIR decisions were taken unanimously.
Background & Context
SIR is a nationwide overhaul of voter lists intended to delete ineligible names—deceased persons, duplicate registrations, or those who have moved. Critics argue that the exercise, which has already struck off about 130 million names, is being used to suppress opposition voters. The controversy resurfaces amid high-profile protests against the Modi government.
Timeline
- September 23 2026 – BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra defends the ECI and accuses opposition parties of a “smear campaign.”
- September 27 2026 – Keralam BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar rebuts Kerala chief minister V D Satheesan’s criticism.
- September 30 2026 (scheduled) – Opposition parties plan an “INDIA bloc” meeting to coordinate a response.
- October 30 2026 (deadline) – Deadline for filing further objections to SIR decisions is extended.
Data & Statistics
- The ECI reports 130 million names removed nationwide under SIR.
- In West Bengal, opposition leader Mamata Banerjee claims 2.7 million voters were deleted.
- BJP MP Sambit Patra cited constituency-level figures: TMC won 13 of 20 seats with the highest deletions, Congress won 1, BJP won 6.
- The Indian Express notes 14 documented instances of dissent by Sandhu and Joshi over ten months.
Official Statements & Responses
- The Election Commission said “differing views” are normal and that all final SIR decisions were approved unanimously.
- BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra called the opposition’s allegations a “baseless smear campaign.”
- Union Minister Chirag Paswan urged the commission to “firmly present its side” to preserve public trust.
Criticism & Opposition
- Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused the CEC of “stealing votes” and labelled the episode “treason.”
- Mamata Banerjee (TMC) demanded Kumar’s arrest and fresh elections using pre-SIR rolls.
- CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby urged opposition unity against perceived bias.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Scale of deletions: The ECI cites 130 million nationwide deletions, while opposition figures in West Bengal reference a specific 2.7 million loss.
- Nature of dissent: The commission frames internal notes as routine, whereas the Indian Express characterises the 14 objections as evidence of procedural breaches. No public release of the dissent letters has been provided.
- Legal status of Form 6 changes: Former CEC SY Quraishi described the amendment as “unauthorised and illegal,” while the commission maintains that the Supreme Court upheld the changes.
What’s Next
- The opposition’s “INDIA bloc” meeting on September 30 will coordinate protests and demand the CEC’s resignation.
- The October 30 deadline for additional objections may prompt further legal challenges or parliamentary scrutiny.
- The Election Commission says it will continue to defend the unanimity of its decisions, while mounting pressure could lead to a formal review of the SIR process by the judiciary or a parliamentary committee.