Full Breakdown
Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision Faces Political Firestorm
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Dispute Over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Electoral Rolls
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has been conducting a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The process began in Bihar, expanded to West Bengal and 30 other states, and was formally ordered on June 24 2025 to cover all states and union territories. Schedules were issued for 12 states and UTs on October 27 2025 and for 19 states and UTs on May 14 2026. A full-Commission meeting in New Delhi, attended by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Commissioners S. S. Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, unanimously decided to remove the mandatory Election Returning Officer (ERO) hearing for unmapped records or logical discrepancies.
Background & Context
The SIR aims to clean rolls by removing duplicate or ineligible entries. Booth Level Officers may now visit electors, collect documents, and upload them on ECINet, with hearings limited to exceptional cases and preferably online. Special help desks for vulnerable groups and extended claim-objection deadlines were announced in Delhi and Maharashtra. Opposition parties claim the exercise suppresses new voters, citing a change in Form 6A that now requires parental or grandparental registration details.
Data & Statistics
- June 24 2025 – Order authorising SIR nationwide.
- October 27 2025 – Schedule for 12 states/UTs.
- May 14 2026 – Schedule for 19 states/UTs.
- May 27 2026 – Supreme Court upheld SIR.
- Removal of mandatory ERO hearing; Booth Level Officers to collect and upload documents.
Official Statements & Responses
BJP leaders defended the ECI. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu called attempts to undermine global confidence “deeply unfortunate.” Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the opposition seeks to create “anarchy” by sowing doubt about constitutional institutions. Uttar Pradesh Minister Dinesh Pratap Singh asserted that the Commission’s duties have been validated by the people, other constitutional bodies, and the courts. The ECI issued a press note confirming unanimous Commission approval of the SIR schedule.
Criticism & Opposition
Congress leaders accuse the ECI of politicising voter registration. Jairam Ramesh alleged that Form 6 changes create illegal hurdles for first-time voters and that the Commission has excluded roughly 13.8 crore voters by the third phase. Ragini Nayak Basoya claimed the Commission stalled the statutory special summary revision for new voters since 2024 and that youth registration camps are a “cover-up.” Rahul Gandhi labeled the actions “vote theft” and suggested collusion with the ruling party. An Indian Express report noted Commissioners S. S. Sandhu and Vivek Joshi raised at least 14 objections over SIR-related decisions during a ten-month period.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The Congress narrative of internal dissent contrasts with the ECI’s claim of unanimous decisions. While opposition points to the reported 14 objections, the Commission maintains any differing views were resolved before final approval. The opposition’s “vote-theft” claim lacks corroborating evidence, and the ECI denies any policy-level dispute regarding a letter to the Cabinet Secretary, describing it as related to a deputation appointment.