Full Breakdown
Rahul Gandhi Leads Supreme Court Challenge to Election Commission’s Voter-Roll Revision
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On October 12 2026, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and ten other INDIA-bloc leaders filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court challenging the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The petition, *Rahul Gandhi v. Election Commission of India*, names Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi as respondents. The filing followed a “March for Democracy” that moved from Connaught Place to the Court premises.
Background & Context
The SIR, launched on June 24 2025, aims to delete deceased or migrated voters and update the rolls. Opposition parties claim the process proceeded without the knowledge of two Election Commissioners, who reportedly lodged 14 objections over ten months (Indian Express, 23 Sept 2026). The petition does not seek to overturn the Court’s May 27 2026 ruling allowing SIR, but asks whether the exercise complies with Article 324, the 2023 Chief Election Commissioner Act, and relevant precedents.
Timeline
- June 24 2025 – Decision to commence SIR.
- Sept 23 2026 – Indian Express reports 14 objections.
- Oct 10 2026 – Opposition leaders request a meeting with CJI Surya Kant.
- Oct 11 2026 – CJI declines, cites sub judice status.
- Oct 12 2026 – “March for Democracy” and petition filing; registry flags 14 procedural defects.
- Oct 13 2026 (scheduled) – Court to hear the petition alongside related SIR matters.
Data & Statistics
- A draft roll dated 13 Aug 2026 shows a reduction of roughly 20.66 lakh names from an electorate of about 2.14 crore in June 2026.
- Opposition claims ?13 crore names have been deleted nationwide during SIR.
- Registry noted a Rs 220 fee shortfall and missing authorisations for nine petitioners.
Official Statements & Responses
- The Supreme Court registry identified fourteen defects, including missing vakalatnamas and an illegible photocopy of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s ID.
- The Election Commission issued a September 26 2026 press note asserting that an additional declaration added to Form 6 during SIR had been “upheld by the Supreme Court.” The Court later clarified on 5 Oct 2026 that it had not approved the modification, leaving its legal status unsettled.
Criticism & Opposition
- Himanta Biswa Sarma, Assam CM, defended SIR, citing “cross-border infiltration” as a reason for roll clean-ups.
- V D Satheesan, Kerala CM, moved a state-assembly resolution demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s removal and restoration of voting rights for those allegedly excluded.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Deletion figures: Opposition cites a nationwide deletion of 13 crore voters, while the petition’s data points to a 20.66 lakh reduction in Punjab alone. No independent audit has verified either figure.
- Form 6 amendment: The Commission’s claim of Supreme Court endorsement conflicts with the Court’s 5 Oct 2026 clarification; the amendment’s legality remains unresolved.
What’s Next
The Supreme Court is scheduled to consider the petition on 13 Oct 2026, pending correction of the identified defects. The hearing may also address related SIR matters.