A major political storm is brewing over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Students, farmers, civil society groups and opposition parties have stepped up protests, accusing the Election Commission of large-scale deletions and demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
On Friday, around 500 protesters marched through central Delhi under the banner “People Against SIR.” Similar demonstrations have been reported from several states. Critics say the revision exercise has led to unusually high numbers of names being struck off voters’ lists in some districts, raising fears of disenfranchisement ahead of upcoming elections.
The opposition INDIA bloc is planning a “mock Parliament” in a Delhi hotel on 30 October, where they intend to pass a symbolic motion seeking the CEC’s impeachment. A larger “Dilli Chalo” march is also being talked about for early November. Trade bodies have already urged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to postpone any big rally until after the festive shopping season, warning of heavy business losses.
The Election Commission has defended the process, saying it is necessary to clean up the rolls. It has also refused to fully disclose the software used for the revision, citing trade secrets. The Supreme Court, meanwhile, has recently strengthened voters’ rights by allowing any citizen to prosecute candidates who file false affidavits.
The timing is sensitive. Legislative Council polls are underway in some states, and assembly elections are not far off in others. With trust in the electoral process under scrutiny, both the government and the opposition are digging in their heels. How the Commission handles the complaints and whether the protests grow larger will decide if this remains a political flashpoint or becomes a full-blown crisis.