Story perspectives

Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Challenge to Election Commissioner’s Roll Authority

By Drooid · Sep 29, 2026, 6:00 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Supreme Court agreed to hear a petition challenging Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s authority over Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Election Commission says all SIR decisions were unanimous and have Supreme Court approval, despite petition’s claim of unilateral action.
Opposition parties led by Congress organized protests in states demanding Election Commissioner’s removal and accountability for roll revisions.

History

Historical Context

When T.N. Seshan became Chief Election Commissioner in 1990, the Election Commission of India began strengthening electoral-roll accuracy, a practice the Supreme Court later affirmed under the Representation of the People Act. Echoing that precedent, Chief Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar announced a Special Intensive Revision on 27 October 2025 covering about 37 crore voters, now facing renewed political scrutiny.

1 of 2

Story summary

Supreme Court agreed to hear a petition challenging Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s authority over Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Election Commission says all SIR decisions were unanimous and have Supreme Court approval, despite petition’s claim of unilateral action.
Opposition parties led by Congress organized protests in states demanding Election Commissioner’s removal and accountability for roll revisions.

1 / 2