CONGRESS SAYS EC’S LATEST SIR MEASURES FAIL TO ADDRESS KEY VOTER CONCERNS

September 28, 2026

The Congress has criticised the Election Commission’s latest measures concerning the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, describing the steps as insufficient to resolve the concerns raised over voter deletions and the functioning of the Commission’s digital systems.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the Election Commission’s September 26 statement did not adequately address questions surrounding ECINet, the process of deleting names from electoral rolls and the alleged use of artificial intelligence in preparing voter lists. He characterised the Commission’s response as an attempt at “damage control”.

The Election Commission has announced several measures intended to make the SIR process easier for voters. These include doorstep visits by Booth Level Officers to collect documents from people who receive notices over unmapped entries or discrepancies, greater use of online hearings and additional assistance for voters seeking inclusion in electoral rolls.

The Commission has also announced a review of its ECINet platform by a committee headed by a senior deputy election commissioner, with an independent expert from an IIT or IIIT expected to participate. The panel will examine whether the system complies with applicable laws and rules.

Ramesh argued that these measures did not settle the Congress’s broader questions regarding voter deletions, the role of Electoral Registration Officers, the operation of ECINet and transparency over the use of technology in the revision process. The Election Commission, meanwhile, has maintained that its SIR decisions received the approval of all three election commissioners and has defended the measures announced to facilitate voters.

The disagreement keeps the SIR exercise at the centre of a continuing political and institutional debate over electoral-roll revision, voter inclusion and the functioning of the Election Commission.