Protests Over Voter Deletions in the 2025 Special Intensive Revision
Several left‑wing parties, the SKM, trade unions, student bodies and youth groups have intensified protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. They allege his "illegal" actions caused the deletion of millions of voters from electoral rolls during the SIR of 2025.
Key Developments
- Left parties and student organisations claim the Form 6 was altered to prevent Gen‑Z voters from registering.
- CPI(ML) General Secretary Dipankara Bhattacharya reported a house‑to‑house survey in Bihar showing that 22.5% of voters whose names were deleted before SIR still lived in their villages.
- The AISA president Neha said Delhi Police blocked protests at Jantar Mantar and used force against demonstrators.
- The CITU demanded Kumar’s resignation, citing disenfranchisement of poor and migrant workers.
- SKM called for Kumar’s removal, prosecution, and amendment of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, which they say weakens the selection committee by replacing the CJI with a cabinet minister nominated by the Prime Minister.
Important Facts
In the Bihar constituencies of Aigaon and Ziradei, the CPI(ML) survey covered 204 voters whose names had been deleted before SIR. It found 46 (22.5%) still residing locally. Across four booths, 665 voters were deleted during SIR; 77 of them were still living in the village, suggesting possible wrongful exclusion of over 2,000 voters in Aigaon alone. In Ziradei, 122 of 665 SIR‑deleted voters and 15 of 189 pre‑SIR deletions were still present in the area.
Exam Relevance
Understanding the functioning of the ECI is crucial for GS‑2 (Polity). The controversy highlights issues of electoral integrity, voter disenfranchisement, and the balance of power between the executive and independent institutions. It also touches on labour‑related concerns raised by CITU about the linkage between voter identity documents (e.g., EPIC, Aadhaar) and social‑security benefits, linking to GS‑3 (Economy) and GS‑4 (Ethics). The amendment of the 2023 Act raises questions about the independence of constitutional bodies, a frequent UPSC topic.
Way Forward
- Legal challenges: Affected voters may approach courts to contest wrongful deletions, potentially prompting judicial review of the SIR process.
- Legislative scrutiny: Parliament could examine the 2023 Act’s amendment of the selection committee and consider restoring the CJI’s role to safeguard independence.
- Administrative reforms: The ECI may need to ensure transparent, technology‑driven enrolment (e.g., using Aadhaar or EPIC) while protecting the right to vote for marginalized groups.
- Political dialogue: Opposition parties and civil‑society groups should engage with the Election Commission to address concerns before the next electoral cycle.
For UPSC aspirants, this episode underscores the importance of monitoring how electoral reforms impact democratic participation and the checks and balances that preserve institutional autonomy.