HD KUMARASWAMY JOINS NDA ALLIES IN SEEKING CLARITY FROM EC OVER SIR

September 27, 2026

NEW DELHI: Union minister and JD(S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy has urged the Election Commission to publicly clarify reports of differences among its three members amid the continuing controversy over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Kumaraswamy said the Commission should explain the facts to protect public confidence in the constitutional institution.

Kumaraswamy’s remarks came a day after three NDA allies — the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Telugu Desam Party and Rashtriya Lok Morcha — separately called on the Election Commission to address concerns surrounding SIR and reported differences within the poll panel. LJP leader Chirag Paswan said the EC should present its position directly to the public, while TDP leader Lavu Srikrishna Devarayalu stressed the importance of transparency.

The controversy intensified after an Indian Express investigation reported that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had recorded at least 14 objections over 10 months to certain decisions and orders. The reported objections included changes concerning statutory Form 6 and centralised control of the electoral-roll database.

The Election Commission has rejected suggestions that the reported differences indicate a breakdown in its functioning. It has maintained that differing views, observations and administrative suggestions are normal within institutional deliberations and said its official decisions and directions have full legal sanction.