The recent probe by Election Commission of India (ECI) into its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) has revealed deep‑seated dissent within the commission and large‑scale voter deletions.
Key Developments
- Two Election Commissioners, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, recorded at least 14 objections between Oct 2025 and Aug 2026, saying many decisions were taken without their knowledge.
- In May, Commissioner Joshi warned that Form 6 could not be altered without a rule change, yet July’s version added illegal questions about past roll inclusion.
- Commissioners flagged the centralisation of the voter database, demanded an audit, and noted that field officers lacked full access to the ERONet portal.
- In West Bengal, about 60 lakh electors were marked with “logical discrepancies”; 27 lakh names were deleted, and over 90% of appealed deletions were later restored.
- In Delhi, 24 of 70 constituencies now show fewer electors in draft rolls than the number who voted a year and a half ago.
Important Facts
The Supreme Court, through a two‑judge bench led by Justice Dipankar Datta, held that the 2023 amendment replacing the Chief Justice of India on the CEC selection panel with a Union Minister fails the “perception test”. The same panel appointed Gyanesh Kumar as Chief Election Commissioner. Earlier, the Court had upheld the SIR without questioning its design, which shifts the burden of proving eligibility onto citizens, undermining the principle of universal adult franchise.
Exam Relevance
Understanding the internal dynamics of the ECI is crucial for GS 2 (Polity). The case illustrates how administrative decisions, legal interpretations, and political appointments intersect, affecting the integrity of the electoral process—a core topic for questions on democratic institutions, electoral reforms, and the rule of law.
Way Forward
- Immediate audit of the central voter database to verify deletions.
- Suspension of further deletions until audit completion.
- Resignation of Gyanesh Kumar to restore confidence in the commission.
- Legislative review of the SIR mechanism to ensure due‑process verification and compliance with the constitutional guarantee of voting rights.
These steps are essential to safeguard India’s democratic fabric and to align electoral administration with constitutional mandates.