Election Commission Defends SIR Process, Announces Voter Outreach Measures Amid Political Row

Key points

• The ECI stated that SIR schedules for 12 states/UTs were issued on October 27, 2025, and for 19 others on May 14, 2026, with unanimous approval.
• The Commission clarified that a letter to the Cabinet Secretary concerned an officer on deputation, not policy matters, and that work redistribution orders were not implemented.
• The ECI announced that Booth Level Officers will visit homes of voters with discrepancies to collect documents, and hearings may be held online in exceptional cases.
• Deadlines for filing claims and objections were extended to October 30 in Delhi and October 12 in Maharashtra, with disposal deadlines set for November.
• A committee led by a Senior Deputy Election Commissioner and an IIT/IIIT expert will review the ECINet system for compliance.

Background

This development follows a September 23 report by The Indian Express alleging that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had recorded at least 14 objections to SIR-related decisions over ten months. The controversy intensified after the Congress party demanded the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, leading to the ECI’s formal clarification on September 26. The archive articles regarding U.S. political theater are unrelated to this Indian electoral dispute.

How outlets are covering it

Republic World framed the ECI’s statement as a definitive rebuttal to 'lies' by the Congress and opposition, highlighting the BJP’s support for the clarification. NDTV reported a more divided reaction, noting that while the BJP and allies like the TDP accepted the note as resolving the issue, the Congress called it 'too lame, too little, too late.' NDTV detailed the Congress’s three specific unresolved questions regarding Form 6, the ECINet portal, and excluded voters in Goa. The ECI itself maintained that all decisions were unanimous and that the Supreme Court had upheld the Form 6 declaration.

Why it matters

The SIR process is critical for updating electoral rolls before upcoming elections. The ECI’s clarification aims to restore public confidence in the integrity of the poll body and ensure that eligible voters, including those in vulnerable groups, are not disenfranchised. The political fallout highlights the deepening polarization around electoral administration in India.

What to watch

The INDIA bloc is scheduled to meet on September 30 to discuss a formal removal notice against CEC Gyanesh Kumar. The ECI will continue the SIR process in the remaining 12 states and UTs under Phase-III, with the final elector figures to be determined after the completion of these revisions. The review of the ECINet system is also expected to proceed.