ELECTION COMMISSION OPENS FRESH REVIEW OF SIR PROCEDURES AMID QUESTIONS OVER VOTER VERIFICATION

September 30, 2026

The Election Commission of India has initiated a closer review of decisions and procedures linked to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls amid questions surrounding voter verification, discrepancies and the functioning of its internal decision-making process.

The review comes after concerns were raised over objections reportedly recorded by two Election Commissioners on several matters connected with the poll panel’s functioning. The Commission has maintained that internal notes and differences during administrative scrutiny are part of institutional processes and that decisions on the nationwide SIR were taken unanimously.

Particular attention has been drawn to the procedures used for verifying voters and handling discrepancies in electoral records. The Commission has also ordered a review of its ECINET digital system to examine whether the platform is operating in accordance with the relevant electoral laws and rules.

The review is taking place as the poll panel faces questions over transparency in voter-roll revision and the safeguards available to eligible electors whose names or details may be questioned during verification.

The Supreme Court is also scheduled to consider a petition questioning whether decisions of the multi-member Election Commission have complied with the statutory requirement of acting unanimously or by majority.

The developments have placed the SIR exercise and the Election Commission’s internal procedures under increased public and judicial scrutiny, with further reviews and hearings expected to clarify the process governing voter verification and electoral-roll revisions.