CIVIL SOCIETY GROUPS DEMAND SIR ROLLBACK AND RESTORATION OF DELETED VOTERS

September 29, 2026

A group of senior lawyers, former judges, activists and civil society representatives has demanded a nationwide rollback of the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, along with restoration of voters whose names were removed during the exercise. The demands were raised at a press conference in New Delhi under the banner “Together We Stand”.

The group called for forthcoming elections to be conducted on the basis of pre-SIR electoral rolls, subject to a summary revision where necessary. It also sought public social audits of electoral rolls at the ward, village or polling-booth level so that voters can verify their inclusion and challenge deletions.

Among those participating were Rajya Sabha member Kapil Sibal, former Bombay High Court judge B.H. Marlapalle, psephologist Yogendra Yadav, advocates Prashant Bhushan and others, along with activists including Teesta Setalvad and Nikhil Dey. Former Chief Election Commissioner S.Y. Quraishi and former Supreme Court judge Madan B. Lokur were also present.

The campaigners further demanded that the Election Commission place SIR-related records in the public domain, including relevant decision-making documents and records of objections. They also called for changes to the 2023 law governing the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners, seeking a mechanism they say would be independent of executive control.

The demands come amid continuing controversy over the SIR process and reported differences among members of the Election Commission. The Commission has maintained that its SIR orders received approval from all three Election Commissioners, while the reported objections and the wider functioning of the poll panel are now also facing judicial and public scrutiny.