On 28 June 2026, a coalition of 24 opposition parties and independent MP Kapil Sibal addressed a joint memorandum to Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant. The letter alleges that the Election Commission of India (ECI) is acting in a partisan manner and that the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists in West Bengal and Bihar is being misused to influence election outcomes.
Key Developments
- The memorandum, released to media on 3 July 2026, claims that recent elections in Delhi, Haryana and Maharashtra were "manipulated" through biased electoral administration.
- Opposition leaders argue that since 2014 most appointments to the ECI have been of individuals closely linked to the ruling party, eroding the Commission’s independence.
- The letter cites the Anoop Baranwal case and criticises the removal of the CJI from the committee that selects the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners.
- The opposition accuses the ECI of selective enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct, allowing the ruling party to breach rules while targeting opposition members.
- In West Bengal, the letter highlights the deployment of 2.4 lakh CAPF personnel, a figure comparable to the total forces used for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
- The SIR allegedly removed nearly 25 lakh voters under a "never‑used‑befo