PASIR Demands End to SIR Voter Rolls and Calls for Electoral Reforms Including Paper Ballots and State Funding

Overview The coalition PASIR has intensified its protest against the SIR system. In a statement dated 7 November 2026 , the PASIR National Coordination Committee urged President Droupadi Murmu to stop any further elections that rely on SIR‑based voter lists. Key Developments PASIR demanded the removal and prosecution of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar . It called for a return to paper ballots for all elections. The coalition seeks repeal of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023 . It urged the adoption of Supreme Court guidelines to make the ECI democratically accountable. Broader reforms demanded include proportional representation , curbing money and muscle power, and legalising state funding of elections . Important Facts The statement also announced a nationwide campaign titled “Reclaim Our Democracy” to run from 26 November to 20 December 2026 . The campaign will open with a public reading of the Preamble to the Constitution of India, signalling a symbolic appeal to constitutional values. UPSC Relevance Understanding PASIR’s demands helps aspirants grasp contemporary challenges to India’s electoral architecture, a core topic in GS2: Polity . The call for paper ballots and state funding touches upon the debate over electronic voting versus traditional methods, and the financing of political parties—both frequent essay questions. The demand for proportional representation links to comparative electoral systems, a standard comparative politics theme. Way Forward For the government, the immediate step is to address PASIR’s specific grievances: reviewing the legality of the SIR process, ensuring transparency in the appointment of the CEC , and considering a phased re‑introduction of paper ballots as a backup. In the longer term, Parliament may need to debate the repeal of the 2023 Act, enact legislation for state‑funded elections , and explore a mixed electoral system that incorporates proportional representation . Implementing the Supreme Court guidelines will strengthen the democratic accountability of the ECI and restore public confidence.