September 30, 2026 – In a meeting of the opposition INDIA bloc, Mallikarjun Kharge, the Congress president, demanded that the pre‑SIR electoral roll be used for all future elections and that voting revert to paper EVMs. He also called for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Key Developments
- Kharge urged the CEC to step down within 48 hours, warning of a possible “Jantar Mantar 2.0” protest.
- The INDIA bloc agreed to demand the use of the pre‑SIR electoral roll for all upcoming polls.
- All parties called for full transparency of every electoral‑roll revision, including constituency‑wise additions and deletions.
- Kharge highlighted that about 13.3 crore voters have been removed from the list during the SIR, calling it a threat to the principle of “one person, one vote, one value”.
- The meeting was attended by senior leaders of Congress, TMC, SP, RJD, CPI, CPI(M), NCP, Shiv Sena (UBT) and others, along with independent MP Kapil Sibal.
Important Facts
The Supreme Court has agreed to list a petition seeking the suspension of CEC Gyanesh Kumar. Two Election Commissioners, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, have recorded at least 14 objections to the SIR process over the past ten months, indicating internal dissent within the ECI.
Kharge warned that changes in Form 6, which governs first‑time voter registration, are deliberately discouraging young voters.
Exam Relevance
Understanding the role of the Article 324 and the functioning of the CEC is essential for answering questions on electoral reforms, democratic institutions, and the balance of power between the executive and independent bodies.
The debate over EVMs versus paper ballots touches upon technology adoption, transparency, and public trust—topics frequently asked in GS 2.
The scale of voter deletions (13.3 crore) and the procedural controversies around the SIR illustrate challenges in maintaining an accurate electoral roll, a key issue for governance and democratic accountability.
Way Forward
- Opposition parties are likely to file a joint petition in the Supreme Court demanding the CEC’s removal and a review of the SIR process.
- Calls for a transparent, constituency‑wise audit of the electoral roll may lead to legislative proposals for stricter oversight of the ECI.
- Debate on re‑introducing paper ballot voting could influence future electoral reforms and the design of the voting system.
For UPSC aspirants, tracking these developments offers insight into the dynamics of electoral governance, the checks on constitutional bodies, and the political strategies of opposition coalitions in India’s largest democracy.