THE HALFAX HEIMDALL AUGUR

23 opposition parties write to CJI Kant over EC's 'bias' in SIR As questions over the Election Commission’s special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls continue to intensify, 23 Opposition parties and an Independent MP have approached the Supreme Court seeking its intervention against the poll panel’s allegedly biased conduct that could have “far-reaching consequences” for the country’s election process. In a rare show of unity, the Opposition parties sent a joint memorandum to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, raising concerns over the SIR undertaken in states such as Bihar and West Bengal, besides similar exercises underway elsewhere. Among the signatories are the DMK and the Aam Aadmi Party, neither of which attended the INDIA bloc meeting on June 8 where the decision to approach the judiciary was taken. While AAP is not a constituent of the INDIA bloc, the DMK had skipped the meeting after expressing displeasure with the Congress for supporting the TVK government after the alliance’s poll defeat in Tamil Nadu. The development was made public by Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, who said 21 political parties and an Independent MP had attended the INDIA bloc meeting on…

Group of intellectuals, lawyers, social activists demand ... - ThePrint Home India Group of intellectuals, lawyers, social activists demand immediate end to SIR India Group of intellectuals, lawyers, social activists demand immediate end to SIR PTI 19 April, 2026 11:46 am IST Facebook Twitter WhatsApp Linkedin Follow Us : Text Size: A- A+ New Delhi, Apr 19 (PTI) A group of intellectuals, lawyers, students and social activists have demanded the immediate termination of the Special Intensive Review (SIR) of the electoral rolls, which they said is “against citizens’ rights”, and called for continuation of the old electoral rolls and elections to be conducted on that basis. The demand was placed at a seminar organised by the human rights organisation ‘Janhastakshep’ here at the Press Club of India on Saturday, according to a press release issued by the organiser. Those who attended the seminar include former chief election commissioner S Y Quraishi, senior advocate Prashant Bhushan, former professor of Delhi University Badri Raina, Press Club of India president Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty, among others, according to the release. Show Full Article A resolution was unanimously passed at …

In capital, Opposition parties march against EC in show of unity on SIR ... Opposition parties on Monday took out a united march from Parliament against the Election Commission (EC) over the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar as well alleged “voting malpractices” in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. As placard-bearing MPs sloganeered against the government and clambered over barricades, with some fainting, police stopped the march to the EC office and detained several senior leaders. This is the first time the INDIA bloc’s parties have hit the street together, as they attempt to send a message that they stand united on the issue of “electoral malpractices”. The march began at Parliament’s Makar Dwar with around 300 MPs from Opposition parties singing the national anthem. Wearing white caps with the crossed-out words “SIR” and “vote chori”, they soon set off for Nirvachan Sadan on Ashoka Road, lending varied colours to the streets of CentralDelhi: from the Samajwadi Party and Left parties’ red to the RJD’s green and the Congress’s white. The protesting MPs raised slogans against the SIR and “vote chori”. There were signs of bonhomie and solidarity, as Lok S…

Centre has put us in danger: Karnataka CM Shivakumar urges ... Centre has put us in danger: Karnataka CM Shivakumar urges Congress workers to act as help desks amid electoral roll revision By ANI | Updated: June 21, 2026 18:40 IST Preferred on Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 21 : Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Sunday alleged that the Centre's Special Intensive ... Open in App Centre has put us in danger: Karnataka CM Shivakumar urges Congress workers to act as help desks amid electoral roll revision Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 21 : Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Sunday alleged that the Centre's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has put the opposition at risk and urged Congress workers to actively assist voters in completing the enumeration process. Addressing the Sankalpa Samavesha programme, Shivakumar said party leaders and Booth Level Agents (BLAs) must remain vigilant during the revision exercise to ensure eligible voters are not excluded from electoral rolls. "The Centre has put us in danger. Tamil Nadu has cut 64 lakhs. There has been a cut in West Bengal. Whether it is Mallikarjun Kharge or me, everyone should fill the enu…

SC flags non-cooperation by states in voter list revision, warns it ... IANS File photo The Supreme Court on Tuesday sharply criticised reports of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and other officials involved in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) 2.0 exercise being threatened in West Bengal and other states, warning that continued obstruction could “cause anarchy”. The apex court asked the Election Commission of India (ECI) to bring any specific instance of non-cooperation or intimidation to its notice, promising to pass appropriate directions. A Bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi told the Commission to take serious note of what it described as a widening pattern of state-level resistance to the SIR process, a ground-level verification drive aimed at updating electoral rolls ahead of several major polls. “Bring to our notice instances of lack of cooperation, hindrances to work of BLOs and we will pass appropriate orders,” the Bench told senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, appearing for the Election Commission. The court’s remarks came amid allegations that BLOs in West Bengal were facing intimidation, and that the SIR exercise was being stalled in some…

Civil Society Groups Demand Halt to SIR, Accuse ECI of Undermining ... Home Debate Civil Society Groups Demand Halt to SIR, Accuse ECI of Undermining Democratic... Debate May 4, 2026 Civil Society Groups Demand Halt to SIR, Accuse ECI of Undermining Democratic Rights WhatsApp Facebook Twitter Pinterest Linkedin Telegram India Tomorrow NEW DELHI: A large coalition of retired judges, former bureaucrats, academics, activists, writers, journalists and civil society organisations has issued a strongly worded statement demanding an immediate halt to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process of electoral rolls, alleging that it is “unconstitutional, undemocratic, non-transparent and unscientific.” The statement, titled “STOP SIR,” accuses the Election Commission of India of compromising its constitutional mandate under Article 324 of the Constitution and calls upon the Supreme Court of India to urgently conclude hearings on the constitutional validity of the exercise. The signatories claimed that the SIR process, introduced in June 2025, has “deprived millions of rightful voters of their constitutional rights” in several states where the exercise has already been conducted. According …

Opposition parties write to CJI on SIR, Election Commission conduct On 30 June 2026, twenty-three opposition parties and an independent Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal, sent a joint letter to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant. The letter raised concerns about the conduct of the Election Commission of India, specifically regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and alleged manipulation of election outcomes. The signatories included leaders from Congress, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party, and others. According toDeccan Herald, the letter appealed to the “conscience of the judiciary” and cited examples from various states where the SIR process and election machinery were allegedly used against opposition parties. The initiative was bolstered by the participation of DMK and AAP, both of which had previously distanced themselves from the INDIA bloc. As reported byThe Indian Express, the four-page letter focused on the alleged misuse of the SIR process by the Election Commission to favour the ruling party. The opposition parties requested judicial intervention, stating, “When all fails, Indian democracy loo…

Bengaluru activists voice opposition to Karnataka SIR, call on ... Several Bengaluru civil society groups under the umbrella of ‘My Vote, My Right’ held a press conference in the city on Wednesday to reiterate their opposition to a possible Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Karnataka. In a statement, the coalition said that the design of the SIR and the stringent document requirements were leading to the deletion of women, nomadic communities, migrant workers, members of the transgender community, Dalits, Adivasis, and religious minorities from the electoral rolls. The groups also flagged concerns over alleged inadequate training and pressure on Booth Level Officers (BLOs), claiming that Form 7 (used for objections such as removing deceased persons from voter lists) was being misused by BJP members to delete Muslim voters from the rolls. ‘My Vote, My Right’ went on to call for the state government to pass a resolution against the SIR in both houses of the Karnataka legislature in the upcomingbudgetsession and meet with civil society stakeholders to understand their concerns regarding the process. The groups were represented by Clifton D’Rozario, national v…

Govt fixing polls with EC's help: INDIA bloc to CJI A united opposition has approached the Chief Justice of India, alleging that the current government is manipulating elections with a "biased" Election Commission. They've urged the suspension of electoral roll updates, citing concerns over EVMs and a desire to reinstate ballot papers. The INDIA bloc claims poll manipulation in recent elections and fears institutional failure, questioning where citizens can turn if even the judiciary cannot resolve these issues.

23 opposition parties write to CJI over SIR - Bhaskar English 23 opposition parties write to CJI over SIR: DMK says Election Commission's exercise is arbitrary and undemocratic New Delhi 14 hours ago Loading advertisement... To Read Bhaskar English… Better News Experience Read in App In the Browser Continue 23 opposition parties and one Independent MP have written to the Chief Justice of India (CJI) raising concerns over the Election Commission of India's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and other election-related issues. Loading advertisement... Saravanan Annadurai alleged that the SIR exercise is arbitrary and undemocratic. He claimed its objective is to remove voters from the electoral rolls, arguing that the foundation of democracy is to ensure every eligible adult citizen has the right to vote. SIR process affected people in various states The letter was signed by 23 opposition parties, including the Indian National Congress(INC), All India Trinamool Congress(TMC), Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, as well as Independent Kapil Sibal. Loading advertisement... According to sources, the signatories include Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, Tejashwi Y…

Government Choosing its Voters': Karnataka Coalition Demands Halt to ... Government Choosing its Voters’: Karnataka Coalition Demands Halt to Special Intensive Revision (SIR) Nov 01, 2025 By Joint Statement To, Mr. V Anbu Kumar Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka Dear Sir, We, the people of Karnataka, write to you with grave concern about the implementation of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Karnataka. The Order issued by the Election Commission of India (No. 23/ERS/2025) dated $24^{th}$ June, 2025 notified that the ECI has decided to begin the SIR in the entire country. Through news reports, we are aware that the ECI is gearing up to launch the SIR in Karnataka¹. Our concerns are as follows: 1. Designed to disenfranchise the poor and marginalized people Section 19 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, which lays down the conditions for voter registration, says that anyone who is 18 years or older on the qualifying date and is ordinarily resident in a constituency is entitled to be registered in the electoral roll. It is for the authorities to prove that a person is not a citizen, not the other way around. In SIR, the process outlined is that all exi…

Congress urges Telangana CEO not to link SIR with citizenship verification TPCC president B. Mahesh Kumar Goud and Congress leaders meet Telangana Chief Electoral Officer C. Sudharshan Reddy in Hyderabad, seeking a transparent SIR process. Hyderabad: The Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) has urged election authorities to ensure that the proposed Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Telangana does not become a “backdoor NRC exercise,” while demanding safeguards to protect minorities, migrant workers, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and economically vulnerable voters from wrongful exclusion. In a detailed memorandum submitted to Chief Electoral Officer C Sudharshan Reddy, TPCC president and MLC B Mahesh Kumar Goud called for the voter verification exercise to be conducted in a “fair, transparent, and impartial manner” and cautioned against hurried implementation ahead of future elections. The Congress party argued that experiences from several states had shown that rushed electoral roll revisions often led to confusion, anxiety, and distrust among voters. It said Telangana should instead adopt a phased and carefully monitored process with adequate saf…

Not opposed to SIR but want EC to address Cong objections - ThePrint Home India Not opposed to SIR but want EC to address Cong objections: Minister... India Not opposed to SIR but want EC to address Cong objections: Minister Priyank Kharge PTI 29 June, 2026 05:45 pm IST Facebook Twitter WhatsApp Linkedin Follow Us : Text Size: A- A+ Bengaluru, Jun 29 (PTI) Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge on Monday said the state government was not opposed to the SIR of electoral rolls but urged the Election Commission to first respond to Congress’ objections, alleging that voters should not be removed without due legal process. As the SIR process is set to begin from Tuesday, the minister said the state Cabinet had submitted eight objections to the Chief Election Commissioner and sought clarity on issues such as ‘logical discrepancy’, legal notices, speaking orders and access to tribunals before deleting names from the electoral rolls. “We are not saying that the SIR should not be conducted. Voter roll revision is compulsory, and it is the right of the Election Commission. More importantly, it is their responsibility to provide a clean and accurate voter list,” Kharge told reporters. Show F…

Kumaraswamy accuses Congress govt of manipulating Karnataka SIR, seeks ... Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Thursday (July 2) accused the Congress government in Karnataka of manipulating the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging large-scale irregularities in Ramanagara district and demanding action against the officials responsible. He alleged that the Congress government was systematically undermining the integrity of the SIR process not just in Ramanagara, but across Karnataka. Claiming that a "massive scam" has surfaced in the ongoing SIR of electoral rolls in Ramanagara district, Kumaraswamy produced what he claimed was video evidence and urged the Election Commission of India to intervene.Also read |Karnataka leadership set for shake-up as BJP looks beyond Yediyurappa era Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, he said the "blatant irregularities" taking place in Ramanagara are proof of how the entire exercise is being subverted. "The Ramanagara Deputy Commissioner must be suspended immediately, and all officials who have failed in their duty must be removed from service," he said. Citing video evidence, Kumaraswamy further alleged that thousan…

Ensure not a single person loses vote during SIR: Telangana CM to ... HYDERABAD: Expressing concern over the possibility of Dalits, minorities and women losing their votes due to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy called upon party workers to ensure that not a single eligible voter was removed from the electoral rolls. Addressing a joint meeting of the Pradesh Congress Committee Political Affairs Committee and PCC Advisory Committee at Gandhi Bhavan on Friday, he asked the Mahila Congress to organise cluster-wise meetings on the SIR and create awareness among voters. He said it was encouraging that party leaders were creating awareness on the SIR and had understood the difficulties it could create for common people, the poor and Congress workers. He said the SIR could become a major issue for Lambadas, tribals and migrant workers. Stating that people in some Assembly segments might have migrated elsewhere for employment, Revanth asked Congress activists to remain vigilant and ensure that those who had moved temporarily for work were not removed from the electoral rolls. He directed party workers to create awareness regarding solutions to probl…

INDIA bloc writes to CJI over Election Commission's SIR exercise The INDIA bloc has intensified its challenge to the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, with 23 political parties and one Independent jointly writing to the Chief Justice of India seeking judicial intervention over the exercise and other election-related issues. The joint representation signals a broader show of Opposition unity on electoral issues. According to Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh, the decision to approach the Chief Justice was taken during an INDIA bloc meeting on June 8 and has now been backed by 23 political parties, along with one Independent member. The inclusion of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) comes after discussions among alliance partners, sources told ANI . Advertisement INDIA bloc says more parties backed the joint appeal In a post on X, Ramesh said 21 political parties and one Independent had attended the June 8 INDIA Janbandhan meeting, where the proposal to write to the Chief Justice was approved. Advertisement He said the letter has now been signed by 23 political parties and one Independent. “The Oppositio…

SIR electoral roll revision: Why has Noida administration filed FIRs ... The Noida administration has registered FIRs against more than 60 booth-level officers (BLOs) and seven supervisors across three police stations for alleged negligence and ignoring official orders during the ongoingspecial intensive revision (SIR)of electoral rolls, reported The Indian Express. In Bahraich, two BLOs have been suspended for similar lapses, while a third has been booked following a complaint by a BJP leader. These FIRs have been filed under Section 32 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. District Magistrate Medha Rupam, who also serves as the District Election Officer, instructed the Sub-District Magistrates of three assembly segments to file these cases after BLOs reportedly failed to follow directions. The second phase of the SIR, underway in nine states and three Union Territories, runs through December 4. During this period, BLOs are responsible for distributing and collecting forms and matching voter details with existing records. This time, they must verify elector information during the enumeration itself, unlike theearlier Bihar exercise. Officials said several BLOs did not…

Karnataka CM urges completion of SIR process for voting rights Nation and Beyond Karnataka CM urges completion of SIR process to protect voting rights TNM (With ANI Inputs) | Published On: Jun 30, 2026 ANI Photo | Karnataka CM urges completion of SIR process to protect voting rights Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has called on citizens throughout the state to actively participate in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which commenced on June 30, emphasising the need to safeguard voting rights. At a press conference in Bengaluru on Monday, Shivakumar underscored the significance of the voter verification exercise and urged the public to cooperate with election officials by submitting the necessary information and documents. Also Read Akshay Kumar prays for Rajesh Sharma’s speedy recovery after insect bite incident UBT Sena MLA Aaditya Thackeray seeks 10-day extension for Maharashtra electoral roll enumeration Soha Ali Khan hosts an episode of ‘Alliance’ as Kunal Kemmu attends film shoot He stated, “From tomorrow, SIR will start, all India and Karnataka eye on Karnataka… I appeal to everyone, please save your vote, save your life, right to vote, right to…

'Entire SIR Process May Go': SC Issues Stern Warning to ... - Oneindia ‘Entire SIR Process May Go’: SC Issues Stern Warning To Election Commission Over Bihar Roll Revisions India oi-Ruchika Pareek By Ruchika Pareek Published: Monday, September 15, 2025, 15:19 [IST] Add as a preferred source on Google The Supreme Court on Monday issued a stern warning to the Election Commission of India (ECI), stating that if any irregularities are detected in the methodology adopted for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Bihar, the entire process could be struck down. The bench clarified that it cannot issue a limited or piecemeal opinion restricted to Bihar alone. Instead, its final judgment will apply uniformly to SIR exercises carried out across the country. AI Summary AI-generated summary, reviewed by editors The Supreme Court warned the Election Commission of India (ECI) that irregularities in Bihar's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) could lead to the entire process being struck down, while also stating that its judgment on the matter, scheduled for final arguments on October 7, will apply nationwide. The court previously directed that Aadhaar be accepted as a valid document for…

Karnataka Witnesses Expanding Wave of Protest against SIR Sign in Welcome! Log into your account Forgot your password? Get help Privacy Policy Password recovery Recover your password A password will be e-mailed to you. Home Focus Karnataka Witnesses Expanding Wave of Protest against SIR Focus Report Karnataka Witnesses Expanding Wave of Protest against SIR By Radiance News Bureau June 1, 2026 0 Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Agitations Held at Nearly 75 Centres; More Demonstrations and Four Awareness Padyatras Planned Across State By Mohammed Talha Siddi Bapa Bengaluru: A growing wave of resistance against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise swept across Karnataka on Saturday, as protests, rally marches and memorandum submissions were reported from nearly 75 locations, including major cities, district headquarters and several taluk centres. Protesters expressed concern that the ongoing exercise could result in the exclusion of genuine voters from electoral rolls and disproportionately affect vulnerable sections of society. The demonstrations are part of an ongoing statewide campaign against SIR, with organisers indicating that several more protests are planned…

Bihar Roll Revision Blowup: Why the ECI Is Under Fire (1) In this three-part series, we uncover the chaos and controversies surrounding Bihar’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls ahead of the 2025 Assembly elections. From forged signatures to chaotic ECI centers, we explore the mounting allegations of fraud and political manipulation threatening Bihar’s democratic process. Stay tuned for Parts 2 and 3 as we delve deeper into operational failures and the fight for electoral integrity. BY Navin Upadhyay July 17, 2025 – A viral video from Darbhanga showing Kavita Kumari, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Mahila Morcha District President, allegedly processing voter enumeration forms during the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise has ignited a firestorm of controversy. Coupled with a YouTube video by senior journalist Ajit Anjum exposing widespread irregularities in Begusarai’s voter roll revision, these incidents have cast a dark shadow over Bihar’s electoral process, raising serious concerns about fraud, political interference, and systemic failures ahead of the 2025 Assembly elections. This is the first of a three-part series …

YSRCP alleges political interference in SIR - Dailyhunt V ijayawada: YSRCP leader and former minister Sake Sailajanath on Wednesday alleged that the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Andhra Pradesh is being misused to facilitate large-scale voter deletions through the ruling coalition's MyTDP application and demanded immediate intervention by the Election Commission to ensure a transparent and impartial process. Advertisement Addressing the media at the YSRCP central office in Tadepalli, Sailajanath said the party had repeatedly urged authorities to conduct the voter roll revision exercise in a democratic and transparent manner. He noted that YSRCP recently submitted a representation to the chief electoral officer raising concerns over voter data collection and its alleged misuse through the MyTDP app. He alleged that party representatives were not given an opportunity to present their concerns at the Secretariat and recalled that during the earlier "Seva Mitra" exercise, nearly 30 lakh YSRCP supporters' votes were allegedly targeted for deletion before legal intervention prevented it. He claimed similar attempts were now being witnessed in Andhra Prad…

Abhishek alleges 'triple violation' of SC directives, statutory ... Home India Abhishek alleges 'triple violation' of SC directives, statutory provisions in SIR exercise... India Abhishek alleges ‘triple violation’ of SC directives, statutory provisions in SIR exercise in Bengal PTI 21 February, 2026 10:45 pm IST Facebook Twitter WhatsApp Linkedin Follow Us : Text Size: A- A+ Kolkata, Feb 21 (PTI) Senior TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee on Saturday alleged a “triple violation” of statutory provisions and Supreme Court directives by the Election Commission in the conduct of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voters’ list in West Bengal. In a post on X, the TMC national general secretary claimed that Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) are unable to monitor the work of Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs) on the ECINet portal. This contravenes “Sections 13B and 13C of the Representation of the People Act”, which provide that electoral rolls shall be prepared and revised by the EROs and that AEROs assist them, Banerjee said. Show Full Article The TMC MP further claimed that this also runs contrary to the Supreme Court’s orders, dated February 9 and February 20, which, he…

Telangana Congress calls for 'transparency' in SIR, meets state poll ... Sign in Welcome! Log into your account Forgot your password? Get help Password recovery Recover your password A password will be e-mailed to you. Telangana Congress calls for 'transparency' in SIR, meets state poll chief India 2 min. Read Telangana Congress calls for ‘transparency’ in SIR, meets state poll chief By CurrentIndia.com June 21, 2026 Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Telangana Congress urges EC to carry out transparent SIR NEW DELHI: Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president Mahesh Kumar Goud on Sunday said the Congress would safeguard the voting rights of people in the state and would not allow any irregularities during the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, amid concerns raised by the party over the ongoing exercise. Telangana Congress also met with the state chief electoral officer to urge for a transparent process with no rush arguing that there aren’t going to be any elections in the state any time soon.Goud alleged that the revision process was being used to target “secular votes” and said the Congress was closely monitoring developments…

Karnataka: EC issues notice to 35 BLOs for SIR lapses Agencies Bengaluru: The election commission of India (ECI) has issued notices to about 35 BLOs (booth level officers) in Karnataka on charges of deviating from the ECI guidelines they must follow while doing voter enumeration as part of the special intensive revision ( SIR ). They face the charge of holding mass enumeration campaigns instead of vising individual houses, chief electoral officer (CEO) V Anbukumar told mediapersons. He, however, ruled out ordering re-verification of voters, while adding that his office has forwarded all complaints received to the ECI. The Opposition BJP and JDS met chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in Delhi on Tuesday, seeking a fresh round of enumeration in places they suspected had been vitiated by manipulation of the ruling Congress. The CEO denied allegations of mass distribution of enumeration forms on a large scale. Their own inquiries revealed that people gathered in groups on their own. His office had strictly told the BLOs that they must issue forms only to houses, Anbukumar said. The BLOs will continue to discharge their SIR duty as per the guidelines of the ECI, he said, rejecti…

'Display Names Of Persons On Logical Discrepancies', Supreme Court To ... ETV Bharat / bharat 'Display Names Of Persons On Logical Discrepancies', Supreme Court To ECI On WB SIR The bench noted that 1.25 crore voters in the state figure on the “logical discrepancies” list. People arrange their documents during hearings under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, in Nadia, West Bengal, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026. ( Representational Image/PTI ) By Sumit Saxena Published : January 19, 2026 at 7:06 PM IST 5 Min Read New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Election Commission of India (ECI) to remain mindful of the strain faced by ordinary citizens during the ongoing special intensive revision of the voter list in West Bengal, as over 1 crore people are getting affected. Emphasizing the need for transparency and fairness, the apex court directed that the exercise be conducted “smoothly” and further directed the poll panel to display the names of those on the "logical discrepancies" list at gram panchayat bhavans, block offices of talukas, and ward offices in West Bengal. The matter was heard by a three-judge bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and justices Dipan…

Collector Seeks Political Parties' Cooperation for Transparent ... VIJAYAWADA:NTR district collector Dr G. Lakshmisha on Saturday appealed to recognised political parties to cooperate in the special intensive revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls, stating that the district administration is committed to preparing a transparent, impartial and error-free voters' list in accordance with the Election Commission of India (ECI) guidelines. Addressing a meeting with representatives of recognised political parties in Vijayawada, the collector reviewed the progress of the SIR exercise across the district's seven Assembly constituencies. He said the revision was being carried out to ensure the inclusion of every eligible voter while maintaining the integrity of the electoral roll. Dr Lakshmisha said enumeration forms had been distributed to all 17,13,445 voters in the district. He also explained the digitisation and data-mapping process and demonstrated how voters could retrieve their details from the 2002 SIR electoral roll through the “Search Your Name in Last SIR” option on the Election Commission's voter services portal. The collector said two help desks had been established at each …

HD Kumaraswamy alleges irregularities in Karnataka's SIR process in ... Nation and Beyond HD Kumaraswamy alleges irregularities in Karnataka’s SIR process in Ramanagara TNM (With ANI Inputs) | Published On: Jul 2, 2026 ANI Photo | HD Kumaraswamy alleges irregularities in Karnataka’s SIR process in Ramanagara Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy accused the Karnataka Congress government of “hijacking” the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process in Ramanagara district, citing large-scale irregularities. Speaking at an emergency press conference at the party’s state office on July 2, Kumaraswamy presented video evidence and claimed that illegal voters, including Bangladeshi immigrants, were being enrolled during the SIR process. Kumaraswamy stated that the state government was “completely derailing the process” in Ramanagara and other areas of Karnataka. He called for the immediate suspension of the Ramanagara Deputy Commissioner and action against officials allegedly involved in dereliction of duty. Also Read Carlos Tevez calls Lionel Messi ‘untouchable’ ahead of World Cup 2026 knockout stage Brazil’s Endrick supports Ancelotti’s decisions despite limited World Cup minutes Samay Raina to …

SEC plea to postpone SIR in GBA limits - The New Indian Express BENGALURU: State Election Commissioner (SEC) GS Sangreshi on Wednesday wrote to Chief Election Commissioner of India Gyanesh Kumar to postpone the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) region till the election process to the five newly constituted city corporations is completed. The Supreme Court has directed the state government to complete the process of delimitation of wards for the new corporations under the Greater Bengaluru Governance (GBA) Act, 2024, by November 1 and to submit a list of reservation of wards by November 30. The SC has also directed the SEC to resume voters’ list preparation work by November 1. Under the Act, and the Greater Bengaluru Governance (Registration of Electors) Rules, 2025, the SEC is empowered to prepare and finalise electoral rolls within the GBA limits by adopting the Karnataka State Assembly Roll. The state government should provide manpower to revise and finalise electoral rolls. Hence, the ECI should postpone the proposed SIR in Bengaluru till the election process to the five corporations is completed, Sangreshi stated. SIR will be held in …

Telangana SIR: HC questions distribution of electoral revision forms ... Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Thursday raised serious concerns over the decision to physically distribute Special Intensive Revision (SIR) electoral enumeration forms exclusively in Telugu across districts outside the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) limits. Hearing a writ petition filed by social activist MA Mujeeb Ayyub, Justice Pulla Karthik questioned the rationale behind the policy, noting that it could inadvertently disenfranchise linguistic minorities, students and citizens who are not proficient in the language. ‘Electoral participation is a Constitutional right’ Senior advocate V Ragunath, appearing for the petitioner, argued that Telangana is home to a deeply diverse demographic. By restricting the physical distribution of forms to Telugu outside Hyderabad’s urban core, the administration has created an arbitrary barrier for non-Telugu speakers, migrant workers and minority communities living in rural and semi-urban districts. “Electoral participation is a constitutional right,” Ragunath submitted to the court. “Voters should not be compelled to depend upon others just to…

HD Kumaraswamy accuses Karnataka Congress of "hijacking" SIR process ... India's largest TV news agency and newswire service, covering news and controversy. Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], July 2 (ANI): Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Thursday accused the Congress government in Karnataka of "hijacking" the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, alleging large-scale irregularities in Ramanagara district. Addressing an emergency press conference at the party's state office, Kumaraswamy released video evidence and claimed that the SIR process was being misused to enrol illegal voters, including Bangladeshi immigrants. Kumaraswamy said the state government was "completely derailing the process" in Ramanagara and other parts of Karnataka. He demanded the immediate suspension of the Ramanagara Deputy Commissioner and action against all officials involved for dereliction of duty. "Using the Chief Minister's direct influence, an attempt is being made to create documents for thousands of fake voters, including illegal Bangladeshi immigrants," Kumaraswamy said. He also urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to intervene and put a stop to the alleged violations. The Un…

B K Hariprasad Urges Vigilance During Voter Roll Revision at Congress ... Mangaluru: Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President B K Hariprasad on Tuesday called upon Congress workers and Booth Level Agents (BLAs) to actively participate in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, stressing that protecting genuine voters is crucial for preserving democracy. Speaking at the SIR Janajagruthi Convention held at Kudmul Ranga Rao Town Hall in Mangaluru, Hariprasad urged party workers to closely monitor the voter verification process and ensure that eligible voters are not removed from the electoral rolls. He advised BLAs to coordinate with Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and conduct door to door verification to identify any discrepancies. FK Headlines on WhatsApp Get instant news updates daily Follow Hariprasad alleged that attempts were being made by the BJP and RSS to remove legitimate voters through the revision process. He warned that failure to remain alert during voter list verification could weaken democratic institutions and constitutional values. He also claimed that similar concerns had surfaced in other states during previous elections. Drawing from hi…

Oppose SIR – Defend Democratic Rights: Mass Resistance ... Oppose SIR – Defend Democratic Rights: Mass Resistance Convention on June 20, Freedom Park, Bengaluru in India by Press Release 18/06/2026 Karnataka Challenges the Election Commission Dear concerned citizens, Voting is often termed as the most sacred act in a democracy. The great democratic exercise through which citizens choose their rulers rests on three pillars: the Election Commission, the voting system, and the electoral roll. The conspiracy to rip apart the very objective of all these three are happening in our country today. Earlier, the Election Commission was appointed by a committee consisting of the Chief Justice of India, the Prime Minister, and the Leader of the Opposition. The Chief Justice has now been removed from this selection committee and replaced by another minister nominated by the Prime Minister. This effectively allows the ruling party to appoint the Election Commission of its own choice. In other words, the neutral umpire has been replaced by umpires chosen by one of the teams playing the match. At the same time, Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), which many developed democracies have either abando…

SIR Awareness Campaign Will Continue Until Every Eligible Voter Is ... ETV Bharat / state SIR Awareness Campaign Will Continue Until Every Eligible Voter Is Registered: Coalition Of Secular Parties In Karnataka KPCC president B K Hariprasad says the Congress stands with the anti-SIR movement; he adds that ordinary citizens do not engage in forgery or falsehoods. During an anti-SIR convention and protest at Freedom Park. ( ETV Bharat ) By ETV Bharat English Team Published : June 20, 2026 at 9:12 PM IST 3 Min Read Bengaluru: The coalition of secular political parties and people's organisations opposing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls on Saturday declared that its awareness campaign would continue until every eligible voter in Karnataka is registered and protected from exclusion. Addressing an anti-SIR convention and protest at Freedom Park, Bengaluru, coalition office-bearer Noor Sridhar said people across the state were gradually understanding the implications of what he described as an unconstitutional voter roll revision exercise. "We must not allow in Karnataka what happened in Bihar and West Bengal during the SIR process. All secular parties should unite…

'SIR Means Doom': Mamata Banerjee Levels Explosive Charge, Claims BJP ... West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday levelled a sensational charge against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alleging that the party had used artificial intelligence to delete the names of 54 lakh voters from the electoral rolls ahead of elections. Warning people against "digital manipulation" and fake videos on social media, Banerjee claimed the exercise was aimed at creating duplicate entries to deprive citizens of their voting rights. Addressing a public meeting at Barjora in Bankura district, Chief Minister Banerjee said, "Don't believe every video on the social media. Today there is AI. They (BJP) have deleted names of 54 lakh voters with the help of AI. Just see that the BJP is doing this. Duplicate names are being made to snatch your voting rights. When you will go to the polling booth, you will find out that you cannot vote as someone having the same name will cast your vote. Keep you eyes and ears open. The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) means your doom." She alleged that the party had set off to remove 1.5 crore names from Bengal's voters' list and alleged that Booth Level Agents…

Rally, legal action: Congress plans to intensify fight against SIR The Congress plans to organise a rally against vote chori (theft) at the Ramlila Maidan in December to expose the “politicisation” of the Election Commission (EC) and will fight “politically, legally and organisationally” against this, party officials said after a meeting at the party’s headquarters on Tuesday. They added that the Bharatiya Janata Party-led union government is “attempting to weaponise the SIR process for vote chori.” A special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is underway in 12 states. At a meeting at Indira Bhawan , the party’s top brass met party leaders of the 12 states , as it prepares to take the issue to the people once again. Earlier, Lok Sabha’s Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi led a Voter Adhikar Yatra in Bihar for 15 days in August, targeting the alleged vote theft by the BJP through an SIR in the state. That issue found little traction in an election in which the Congress was reduced to six seats in the Bihar assembly, its worst showing in 15 years. The people cited above said it was Gandhi who on Tuesday promised that the Congress will “fight ‘vote chori’ politically, …

Rights groups hold protest rally in Kolkata against SIR Rights groups hold protest rally in Kolkata against SIR IANS October 25, 2025 10:51 PM Share on | Kolkata, Oct 25 (IANS) Rights groups including Association for Protection of Democratic Rights (APDR) on Saturday held a protest rally against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls planned in West Bengal by the Election Commission of India (ECI). As the poll panel is gearing up to conduct SIR of Bengal's voter list, the rights body claimed that National Register of Citizens (NRC) will be carried out in the name of SIR. To mark their protest, members of the rights group took out the rally from College Street in north Kolkata to Dorina Crossing in central Kolkata. APDR alleged that a conspiracy is going on to take away the voting rights and citizenship of many people through this process. General Secretary of APDR, Ranjit Sur said, "In the name of creating the voter list under SIR, every person aged 18 years and above will have to mandatorily fill the SIR form. Along with this, every applicant will have to fill a self-declaration form to get their name included in the voter list. Along with the place and date of b…

Karnataka SIR Row: Schoolchildren Allegedly Used for Voter Roll ... A fresh controversy has erupted over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Karnataka. It has been alleged that in Belagavi's Gokak taluk, the Booth Level Officers (BLOs) are using school children to assist with the SIR process at a government higher primary school in Maradimath village. A video purportedly showing the practice has surfaced. Instead of conducting door-to-door verification as mandated, BLOs are allegedly calling residents to the school and carrying out the enumeration from a single room. Breaking It Down What caused the clash between Congress and BJP in Bengaluru? How many Booth Level Officers were deployed for the SIR exercise? What is the purpose of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)? Created with AI. As per the official rules, the BLOs were supposed to conduct house-to-house visits from June 30 to July 29. Following this, the raft electoral roll will be published on August 5. The period for filing claims and objections would be from August 5 to September 4, while notices, wherever required, would be issued and claims and objections disposed of between August 5 and October 3. The fina…

Karnataka anti-SIR coalition to protest on June 30 BENGALURU: Anti-SIR organisations have planned protests at district and taluk headquarters on Tuesday, when thedoor-to-door data collectionkicks off across Karnataka. In a statement on Sunday, the forums claimed that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is “unconstitutional, unscientific, flawed and malicious”. J M Veerasangaiah and K L Ashok, office-bearers of the anti-SIR coalition, said protests were held on May 30 and June 20 demanding that the Election Commission of India (ECI) respond to four of their major demands to democratise the SIR process. The demands are: The ECI should not use logical discrepancy software in Karnataka that is not in the election manual, the draft voter list should be made available for public scrutiny in village/ward meetings, the draft voter list should be provided in a readable format and a minimum of six months should be given to submit petitions and objections. The activists said the ECI has not responded the demands so far. “On Tuesday, we will protest by wearing black cloth and holding anti-SIR placards not only at district and taluk centres but also at work, residential…

'ECI functioning as B-team of BJP': Jairam Ramesh claims irregularities ... New Delhi:Congress' General Secretary in charge of Communications, Jairam Ramesh, on Saturday claimed irregularities in the final electoral roll after the Special Intensive Revision of the list in Bihar.Sharing a media report, Ramesh alleged that 247 voters were found in a single household, and a person's name appears three times on the same booth.Alleging that the SIR was orchestrated at the behest of the ruling regime, he called the Election Commission the BJP's "B-team".Sharing an X post, the Congress leader wrote, "The Election Commission has orchestrated the entire SIR drama at the behest of the BJP. Even the claims of reforms by the Election Commission in the final SIR are proving to be false. Reports are coming in from all regions of Bihar that confirm the sole purpose of the entire process is to provide political advantage to the BJP and its allied parties.""Even after the SIR process, numerous instances of irregularities in the final list indicate that the Election Commission has no regard for the clear orders of the Supreme Court. Functioning as the B-team of the BJP, the Election Commission has …

Telangana HC questions ECI on Telugu‑only SIR enumeration forms - June 25, 2026 by admin By Our Legal Correspondent Hyderabad: Justice Pulla Karthik of the Telangana High Court on Wednesday questioned the Election Commission of India (ECI) over its decision to distribute Enumeration Forms only in Telugu in districts outside the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) limits during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, observing that the concerns raised by the petitioner require serious consideration. The observations came in a writ petition filed by social activist M.A. Mujeeb Ayyub challenging the practice of printing and distributing physical Enumeration Forms exclusively in Telugu outside GHMC limits. The petitioner contended that the policy effectively excludes non-Telugu speaking voters, including linguistic minorities, migrant workers and students educated under central boards. Senior Counsel V. Raghunath, appearing for the petitioner, argued that restricting English forms to GHMC areas was arbitrary and irrational, as rural Telangana also has a sizeable non-Telugu speaking population. He contended that voters cannot be expected to rely on B…

Delhi Congress slams BJP over voter list changes 1.4K Congress alleges BJP, ECI targeting poor, migrants in Delhi’s voter roll revision New Delhi: The Delhi Congress has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of misusing constitutional institutions, including the Election Commission of India (ECI), to suppress the voting rights of the poor, daily wage labourers, and slum dwellers ahead of upcoming elections. Speaking to The Sunday Guardian, Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav alleged that the BJP-led central government is manipulating electoral processes to serve political interests and further a divisive agenda. He claimed that under the guise of a “special intensive revision” of the electoral rolls, the BJP is attempting to instill fear among Delhi’s most vulnerable populations and restrict their democratic participation. You Might Be Interested In Which Country is Known Has Largest Production of Dry Fruits in the World? Here’s the Answer Which Country is Known for Largest Production of Almonds in the World? Here’s the Answer 8th Pay Commission: Good News for Employees and Pensioners as Commission Begins Work Yadav cited a similar voter list revision exercise in Bihar that…

Karnataka's Anti-SIR Movement: A Note of Caution | NewsClick Image: Rediff The struggle against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Karnataka, sustained by the tireless efforts of several people’s organisations and awareness campaigns, appears to be entering a significant phase. Yet, unlike the anti-NRC movement of 2019–20, the campaign has not generated comparable public momentum or participation. A key reason is the limited understanding among affected communities of the long-term implications of SIR. While the NRC was widely perceived as a direct threat to citizenship, the dangers posed by SIR have not been communicated with the same clarity. There is growing concern that individuals removed from electoral rolls through the SIR process could eventually face the erosion of citizenship rights, exclusion from government welfare schemes, and the weakening of constitutional protections. If such consequences begin to materialise, awareness and resistance among marginalised, Dalit, and oppressed communities are likely to intensify. As a result, the demand for the withdrawal of SIR may gather mass support only after the process has run its course, making it essential for people’s…

Electoral transparency versus political skepticism: The SIR controversy ... Introduction: India is considered the largest democracy in the world, where every election is not only a platform for competition among political parties but also a testimony to the democratic faith of citizens. The foundation of this faith is the fairness and transparency of the electoral process. The electoral roll is the basis of this process, as it determines which citizen will exercise his democratic right. In this context, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)—a special electoral roll revision drive—initiated by the Election Commission of India has become the centre of controversy. The Commission claims that this initiative is necessary to ensure fair and orderly conduct of all elections by 2026. However, many political parties and civil society organizations are considering it a means of interference and opaqueness. This controversy is not just about the technical process but also about the constitutional values of Indian democracy, institutional autonomy and the direction of electoral reforms. Concept and Objectives of Special Intensive Revision (SIR): The Election Commission regularly revises the e…

Telangana CM asks party leaders to be cautious about SIR Telangana CM A Revanth Reddy. Hyderabad : Cautioning against taking the SIR of the electoral roll lightly, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has urged the ruling Congress leaders to monitor the exercise at the booth-level. Reddy, who attended a video conference organised by the state Congress on Monday, said the voters ‘ lists for the 2028 Assembly elections would be finalised in October, 2026. Observing that nothing much can be done if voters’ names are removed during the exercise, he said key leaders should be in touch with Booth Level Officers in every village and every booth in all the 119 Assembly constituencies. The ministers in charge of districts should review the exercise with the persons in charge of the party in every Assembly and parliamentary constituencies before June 20, a Congress release said. The party in charge of assembly and parliamentary constituencies should monitor the SIR in their jurisdiction, he said. He further suggested setting up a war room in the state Congress headquarters here to conduct booth-level monitoring and obtain daily reports. The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral …

SIR must not remove Telangana Gulf migrants' votes: KTR - Dailyhunt H yderabad: The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) will approach the Election Commission of India to ensure that the voting rights of Telangana residents working in Gulf countries are protected during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, party working president KT Rama Rao (KTR) said on Friday, May 22. Advertisement KTR raises concerns of Gulf-based NRIs Addressing a review meeting with party leaders and Assembly constituency in-charges from the undivided Nizamabad district, KTR said the party had received concerns from a large number of Gulf-based Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) over the possibility of their names being removed from voter lists during the revision process being undertaken by the Election Commission. He said the BRS would soon send a delegation of senior leaders, MLAs and MPs to New Delhi to meet the Central Election Commission and seek measures to safeguard the voting rights of Telangana citizens living abroad for employment. Telangana aims to become USD 3 trillion economy by 2047: Bhatti "The voting rights of Telangana people who migrated to Gulf countries for livelihood should…

'You May Lose Access To Govt Benefits If...': Shivakumar's 'Save Your ... Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has urged citizens across the state to actively participate in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, calling the exercise crucial to protecting voting rights. As the voter verification drive begins, he appealed to people to cooperate with election officials and complete the process by submitting the required information and documents. "From tomorrow, SIR will start, all India and Karnataka eye on Karnataka... I appeal to everyone, please save your vote, save your life, right to vote, right to live, the government of Karnataka will support your vote. The officer will give enumeration forms, they ask for information, everyone should give a new photo," Shivakumar said in a press conference in Bengaluru . The Chief Minister asserted that the Karnataka government had put in place an extensive support system, including thousands of facilitation centres, helplines and online services, to assist voters during the month-long exercise being undertaken by the Election Commission. "Representatives of various parties will also help in providing the required inform…

SIR: Telangana CM Warns Against Deletion of Thousands of Voter Names India SIR: Telangana CM Warns Against Deletion of Thousands of Voter Names Clarion India Date: June 17, 2026 HYDERABAD — Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Monday flagged concerns over the possibility of a large number of voter deletions during the special intensive revision (SIR) of the electoral roll, which will begin from June 15. Besides directing the partymen to set up a war room at the state level, Revanth Reddy underscored the need for setting up monitoring mechanisms at district, parliamentary constituency and Assembly segment levels. Addressing Congress leaders through an online Zoom meeting organised by the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) on Monday, Reddy directed party cadres to remain vigilant during the voter list revision process. “Everyone should be alert regarding the SIR. An attempt is being made to remove votes in the name of suspicion. If that happens, we will face a very dangerous political situation,” he said. The Chief Minister instructed key party leaders to stay in constant touch with booth-level agents (BLAs) across all 119 Assembly constituencies. He cautioned that v…

ECI Not Responded To Questions Regarding SIR, Says Karnataka ... ETV Bharat / bharat ECI Not Responded To Questions Regarding SIR, Says Karnataka Home Minister SIR is set to begin in Karnataka from June 30 amidst objections raised by the ruling Congress. Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge speaking to reporters in Bengaluru on Monday (Etv Bharat) By ETV Bharat English Team Published : June 29, 2026 at 6:35 PM IST 2 Min Read Bengaluru: As the Congress prepares to launch a state-wide door-to-door awareness campaign from Tuesday to assist voters during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Karnataka, Home Minister Priyank Kharge has raised a series of questions over the Election Commission of India's (ECI) handling of the exercise, demanding greater transparency before the process moves ahead. Addressing reporters in Bengaluru today, Kharge said the Karnataka Cabinet had already submitted written objections to the ECI regarding several aspects of the SIR exercise. "We have not asked the ECI to stop the SIR. Revision of electoral rolls is mandatory, and it is the Commission's responsibility to prepare a clean and accurate voter list. But before beginning the pr…

BJP: BJP flags procedural lapses in voter roll revision,.. BJP flags procedural lapses in voter roll revision, submits memorandum to CEO 04-07-2026 Sat 19:49 | National | IANS Bengaluru, July 4 : The Karnataka BJP on Saturday submitted an official memorandum to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Karnataka, alleging serious procedural irregularities in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demanding immediate intervention by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to safeguard the integrity of the voter verification process. The memorandum was submitted by Karnataka BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra, senior MLA S. Suresh Kumar, and other senior party leaders. In the memorandum, the BJP alleged that the implementation of the SIR exercise across Karnataka had witnessed severe procedural deviations and systemic irregularities, raising concerns among elected representatives, Booth Level Officers (BLOs), party workers, and members of the public over the transparency, consistency and credibility of the electoral roll revision process. The party expressed concern over the simultaneous implementation of the statewide SIR exercise and a parallel electoral revision…

As SIR begins in Bengal, sex workers in Kolkata fear losing voting rights As the Election Commission of India (ECI) began the Statewide Intensive Revision (SIR) process in Kolkata, anxiety has gripped the residents of Sonagachi, Asia’s largest red-light area located in North Kolkata. Booth-level officers have started visiting homes to distribute voter enumeration forms, sparking fear among sex workers that their hard-earned voting rights could now be at risk. Many sex workers in Sonagachi are worried that their names might be deleted from the electoral rolls due to a lack of documentation. Having left their homes decades ago in search of a livelihood, most of them have no family records, proof of address, or contact with their parents. Their uncertain legal status and absence of required documents make it nearly impossible for them to provide the parental electoral details mandated under the SIR process. Several NGOs, including the Durbar Mahila Samannay Committee and the All India Network for Sex Workers, have decided to raise the issue with the Election Commission of India. They have urged the ECI to ensure that bureaucratic hurdles do not deprive sex workers of their right …

CPI(M) Opposes ECI's Extension of Special Electoral Roll Revision Tuesday 30, June 2026 മലയാളം E-paper Trending Topics English National Published onOct 29, 2025, 11:09 PM|2min read New Delhi:The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has strongly criticised the Election Commission of India (ECI) for extending the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls to twelve states, terming it an undemocratic exercise that risks mass disenfranchisement of the poor and marginalised. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the CPI M said the experience in Bihar had already shown how the SIR process led to large numbers of people from weaker sections being excluded from the voters’ list. The party expressed concern that the ECI was pressing ahead with the process even though the question of its jurisdiction in determining citizenship was still pending before the Supreme Court. “The Constitution clearly states that citizenship is a prerequisite for voter registration, but its determination is not within the Election Commission’s purview,” the statement noted. CPI M pointed out that in Bihar, the ECI had to concede that the eleven documents it demanded as proof…

YSRCP seeks transparency on Special Intensive Revision process YSRCP MLC Lella Appi Reddy Amaravati: The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) has sought complete transparency in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Andhra Pradesh. YSRCP General Secretary and MLC Lella Appi Reddy has written to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Andhra Pradesh requesting that recognised political parties be provided with the complete list of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and voter data in a searchable digital format. Appi Reddy urged the CEO to share constituency-wise and booth-wise voter lists in a digital and searchable format along with complete details of BLOs, including their names, polling stations or part numbers, designations, and contact information. He stated that making such information available would improve transparency, coordination, and accountability in the electoral process, particularly during voter list revision, claims, objections, additions, deletions, and migration verification. Expressing concern over alleged illegal deletion of voters, duplicate entries, and voter transfers, Appi Reddy sought clarity on the procedures and safeguards being followed during the SIR…

Mamata Banerjee leads SIR protest march in Bengal, BJP calls it rally ... West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday took to the streets of Kolkata, spearheading a massive rally against the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The Trinamool Congress, which she heads, has alleged that the revision drive amounts to a “silent, invisible rigging” orchestrated by the BJP-led central government in collusion with the Election Commission. Launching a sharp attack on the BJP, Banerjee said, “Many unorganised sector workers are thinking whether their names will be removed. Talking in Bangla does not mean Bangladeshi, just like speaking in Hindi or Punjabi does not mean Pakistani. Whoever is talking in Bangla is branded as Bangladeshi. These idiots who have not fought the freedom fight... where was BJP at that time? That is why they don’t know that India, Bangladesh and Pakistan were part of the same land before independence.” She added, “BJP is alooteraparty. They have used several agencies, spread fake news and misinformation. But you will not be in power in the future.” Banerjee, accompanied by her nephew and party’s national general secretary Abhishe…

Karnataka BJP alleges irregularities in SIR exercise, claims process ... Karnataka BJP alleges irregularities in SIR exercise (Img: IANS) Karnataka:BJP President and MLA, B.Y. Vijayendra, on Friday alleged that the Karnataka government was misusing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and conducting the exercise from mosques instead of following the Election Commission's (EC) prescribed procedures. Addressing a Press conference at the BJP headquarters, Jagannath Bhavan, in Bengaluru, B.Y. Vijayendra alleged that Booth Level Officers (BLOs) were being misused during the ongoing SIR process. "BLOs are being misused under the SIR exercise. Officials are being made to sit inside mosques to complete the SIR process. The state government is carrying out a conspiracy against Hindus," B.Y. Vijayendra alleged. He further claimed that in Sagar town in Shivamogga district, BLOs were being used for Congress party propaganda instead of carrying out their official duties. "In Sagar, BLOs are being used for campaigning in favour of the Congress. The Chief Minister must immediately correct this," Vijayendra claimed. The BJP leader said the party had already lodged a compla…

CPI (M) Urges Election Commission to Abandon SIR CPI(M) Urges Election Commission to Abandon SIR On February 10, 2026, M A Baby, General Secretary of CPI(M), sent a petition to the Chief Election Commissioner regarding the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Electoral Rolls. The text of this petition is given below. Dear Sir, We are once again approaching you expressing our grave concern regarding the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Electoral Rolls. While we recognise that periodic revision of electoral rolls is a routine and essential democratic exercise, the manner, timing, and methodology of the present SIR depart sharply from established law, past practice, and constitutional principles. Far from being a routine, transparent, and citizen-friendly process, the present SIR has turned into a chaotic, arbitrary, and exclusionary exercise that threatens both the integrity of the electoral rolls and the fundamental right to vote. Unrealistic Timeframe:Undertaking an extensive and intrusive revision exercise just months before elections, within an unrealistically compressed timeframe inevitably vitiates the electoral atmosphere and is fraught with the danger …

Karnataka launches SIR with 5.5 crore voters, State Govt voices ... Politics India Karnataka launches SIR with 5.5 crore voters, State Govt voices transparency concerns Aman Khan June 30, 2026 Share Facebook Twitter Linkedin WhatsApp As Karnataka's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls began on June 30, the State Cabinet called for greater transparency and safeguards against wrongful voter deletions. It sought an extension of the Enumeration Form submission deadline from one month to at least three months, along with the publication of a comprehensive manual detailing categories of "logical discrepancies", the software or algorithm used to identify them, and the standard operating procedures Representation Image | PTI The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls commenced across Karnataka on June 30, bringing over 5.54 crore existing registered electors under a month-long house-to-house verification exercise. The revision is part of the Election Commission of India’s nationwide programme covering 16 States and three Union Territories, with October 1, 2026, fixed as the qualifying date. The SIR exercise in Karnataka has begun amid intense political debate. …

ECI, BJP nexus turning democracy into mockery: DMK resolution on SIR CHENNAI: Pointing to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar that stripped citizens of their voting rights and the alleged ‘vote theft’ in favour of the BJP, a meeting of DMK district secretaries adopted a resolution condemning the BJP-led union government and the ‘partiality’ of the Election Commission of India (ECI). The meeting was held at the party headquarters, Anna Arivalayam, on Wednesday to discuss the ‘Oraniyil Tamil Nadu’, the membership drive initiative of the party. The party’s IT wing secretary and minister, TRB Rajaa, gave a presentation detailing the members added across the state. Legal wing secretary NR Elango also gave a presentation explaining what happened in the SIR process in Bihar and the “vote theft” irregularities in the electoral roll. Another resolution accused the ECI of colluding with the union government and turning democracy into a mockery. The resolution also underscored the five demands presented by the DMK to the ECI last July, which included a procedure for greater coordination between block-level officers and block-level agents of political parties, …

INDIA bloc writes to the Chief Justice of India highlighting concerns over ... Published Jun 30, 2026 | 11:15 AM⚊Updated Jun 30, 2026 | 11:22 AM The SIR exercise has seen over 5 crore voters being removed from the rolls till now. (File) Synopsis:With SIR set to cover 19 states and union territories in the latest phase, INDIA bloc members have sent a letter to the Chief Justice of India stating their concern over the manner in which SIR has been conducted. The INDIA bloc has sent a joint letter signed by 23 political parties and one independent member to the Chief Justice of India highlighting concerns about the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). The decision to send the letter had been taken in the INDIA bloc meeting on June 8, 2026, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh stated in a post on X. He said the letter also touched upon “issues related to elections”. “The Opposition parties remain firmly committed to SURE – Solidarity, Unity, and REsistance,” he said in a post on X in Hindi. Phase 1 of the SIR exercise was conducted in Bihar, where 65 lakh voters were removed from the list. This represented 5-6% of the entire electorate there. SIR has gone on to cover 12 more st…

'ECI functioning as B-team of BJP': Jairam Ramesh claims irregularities ... ANI 'ECI functioning as B-team of BJP': Jairam Ramesh claims irregularities in final voter list in Bihar Congress ' General Secretary in charge of Communications, Jairam Ramesh , on Saturday claimed irregularities in the final electoral roll after the Special Intensive Revision of the list in Bihar. Sharing a media report, Ramesh alleged that 247 voters were found in a single household, and a person's name appears three times on the same booth. Alleging that the SIR was orchestrated at the behest of the ruling regime, he called the Election Commission the BJP 's "B-team". Sharing an X post, the Congress leader wrote, "The Election Commission has orchestrated the entire SIR drama at the behest of the BJP. Even the claims of reforms by the Election Commission in the final SIR are proving to be false. Reports are coming in from all regions of Bihar that confirm the sole purpose of the entire process is to provide political advantage to the BJP and its allied parties." "Even after the SIR process, numerous instances of irregularities in the final list indicate that the Election Commission has no regard for the…

Karnataka Groups Unite Against SIR, Call It a Threat to Democracy News National Karnataka Karnataka Groups Unite Against SIR, Call It a Threat to Democracy By Mohammed Talha Siddi Bapa October 30, 2025 WhatsApp Facebook X Telegram BENGALURU, October 30, 2025:A coalition of civil society and advocacy groups in Karnataka has strongly opposed the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, terming it a “threat to democracy” and an attempt to disenfranchise vulnerable communities. At a joint meeting held at Darussalam BIFT, Bengaluru, organized by the Karnataka Muslim Muthahidah Mahaz and Yeddelu Karnataka, speakers alleged that the SIR is being used as a political tool to selectively remove voters, especially Dalits, Adivasis, minorities, and laborers. Advocate Vinay Sreenivasan warned that SIR could be a “backdoor entry” for policies like the CAA and NRC, designed to decide “who gets to vote.” The coalition accused the Election Commission of acting in collusion with the central government to undermine democratic rights. The groups announced a statewide campaign to raise awareness about the issue, with events planned in Hubli and Bengaluru. They also plan to meet the Chief M…

Karnataka unanimously condemns the attempt to murder democracy in ... Karnataka unanimously condemns the attempt to murder democracy in Bengal in India by Countercurrents Collective 24/04/2026 Karnataka Solidarity Convention Condemns SIR, Signals Broad Resistance Karnataka witnessed a rare and emphatic show of unity on April 23, as civil society groups, people’s organisations, and nearly all secular political parties—excluding BJP–JDS—came together at a Solidarity Convention in Bangalore to oppose the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Slogans of “We are with you, we stand with Bengal” echoed across the gathering, reflecting deep concern over reports from West Bengal, where millions of voters have allegedly been removed from electoral lists. Speakers and participants described the situation as a grave assault on democratic rights, with estimates suggesting that 3.4 million to 5 million people in Bengal alone have been disenfranchised, and far larger numbers affected nationwide. The Convention condemned what it termed a “deliberate disregard” for voters, noting with alarm that affected citizens are being told they can vote in future elections instead. It d…

Anti-SIR Activists Beware: A mere Residential Certificate does not ... Politics Rights Anti-SIR Activists Beware: A mere Residential Certificate does not satisfy SIR requirements shivasundar June 15, 2026 Share Facebook Twitter Linkedin WhatsApp Despite assurances by state governments, the ongoing SIR requirement can only be met by a Permanent Residence Certificate issued by a competent authority Representation Image | The Hindu Although a “Karnataka Domicile Certificate” may qualify as a Permanent Residence Certificate under SIR, the conditions laid down by the Election Commission in West Bengal indicate that obtaining and using such a certificate may not be easy for marginalised communities in Karnataka Dear friends, Some newspapers reported that after a meeting with officials yesterday, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar instructed authorities to immediately provide residence certificates to those who require them for SIR. As per a report in The New Indian Express . However, according to the list of 11 documents released by the Election Commission for SIR, a simple “Residential Certificate” is not sufficient. The Commission specifically requires: Permanent Residence Certific…

"Opposition Fears Exposure Amid Voter Roll Corrections," Alleges BJP ... National Top Stories “Opposition Fears Exposure Amid Voter Roll Corrections,” Alleges BJP Spokesperson Dr. Mishra “This is the real reason behind Congress’ discomfort,” he said. He further added that SIR is not a new exercise — it was conducted even during Congress-led governments, but the BJP never questioned the process then. Zareen Siidiquie 02 Dec 2025 23:47 IST Follow Us New Update Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State Spokesperson Dr. Vijay Shankar Mishra has alleged that the Congress is attempting to create a misleading environment in the state over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists. Responding to Congress leaders meeting the Chief Electoral Officer and complaining against BLOs, Dr. Mishra said that while any political party has the right to file complaints, it appears that the Congress no longer trusts even its own Booth Level Agents (BLAs). Dr. Mishra addressed the media during a press briefing at the BJP office in Ekta Parisar on Tuesday. Condemning the recent incident of assault on a BLO, the BJP spokesperson said that Congress must understand that the Election Commission and the BJP…

BJP, JD(S) allege large-scale irregularities in Karnataka SIR, seek EC ... News Desk Last Updated: 06 July 2026, 02:43 PM IST Share The opposition parties have accused election officials of violating voter verification norms during the Special Intensive Revision exercise, while the Congress government has denied any role in the process. Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. (@CMofKarnataka/X via PTI Photo) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ally, the Janata Dal (Secular), on Monday accused election officials in Karnataka of committing ‘large-scale irregularities’ during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls ahead of the 2028 Assembly elections. In a letter addressed to the Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer, senior BJP and JD(S) leaders alleged that Booth Level Officers (BLOs) were not conducting the mandatory door-to-door verification of voters as required under the Election Commission's guidelines. The letter, signed by Union ministers HD Kumaraswamy, Pralhad Joshi and Shobha Karandlaje, claimed that enumeration forms were instead being filled at community halls, mosques and even at the residences of BLOs. Leader of the Opposition R Ashok, former…

Telangana Congress leaders allege vote theft, urge vigilance in SIR process Nation and Beyond Telangana Congress leaders allege vote theft, urge vigilance in SIR process TNM (With ANI Inputs) | Published On: May 30, 2026 ANI Photo | Telangana Congress leaders allege vote theft, urge vigilance in SIR process Congress leaders in Telangana have alleged vote theft in recent elections and highlighted the importance of vigilance during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The Telangana Congress Political Affairs Committee (PAC) met in Hyderabad on May 30 to discuss these concerns. Senior Congress leader V. Hanumantha Rao stated that the PAC meeting centred on the SIR process and pointed to alleged irregularities in other states. “A meeting was held on the SIR. Vote theft happened in Haryana and Maharashtra. They defeated us in West Bengal, too. Vote theft is going on,” Rao said. Also Read Ben Stokes to captain England in third Test against New Zealand Virat Kohli joins Karan Aujla on stage at One8 event in Delhi Yoga day marked with sessions aboard vessels on Brahmaputra River Rajya Sabha MP Renuka Chowdhury noted that the committee engaged in a detailed discussion o…

CPI passes resolution calling for EC to withdraw electoral roll revision in ... The Communist Party of India (CPI) on Friday passed a resolution critical of the Election Commission’s (EC) Special Intensive Revision of theelectoral rollsin poll-bound Bihar. “The EC should conduct the Bihar Assembly election with therolls preparedin 2024 for the Lok Sabha elections and only new names of those who have completed 18 years of age be added, as the proposal of EC to prepare entirely new voter lists within a short period of one or two months is impractical and (will) deprive a number of eligible voters (of their right to vote),” the resolution states. The unanimous resolution – which echoes the concerns of the Opposition INDIA bloc – was passed at a meeting of the CPI’s National Council held in NewDelhifrom July 1 to 3. “The Opposition parties had gone to the EC and urged it to withdraw the intensive voter list revision exercise, as it can deny a large number of voters their right to vote. We called upon the EC to hold the Bihar polls on the basis of the voter list of 2024 Lok Sabha polls, but add the new voters who had turned 18-plus between then and now,” party general secretary D Ra…

AAP will not allow wrongful voter deletion during SIR exercise in ... Amid growing concerns over the manipulation of electoral rolls in several states, Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday declared that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) would not allow alleged deletion of voters from the electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Punjab. Warning against any attempt to engineer “fake votes” in favour of a particular political party, Mann asserted that AAP leaders and karyakartas would remain stationed alongside booth-level officers (BLOs) at every polling booth across Punjab to monitor the exercise and prevent any irregularity. Referring to complaints from other states regarding deletion of lakhs of genuine votes and irregularities in the verification process, the CM said the people of Punjab would not permit such practices in the state and urged the Election Commission (EC) to carry out the entire SIR exercise with complete honesty, transparency and impartiality while ensuring that public objections are resolved without delay. Mann said, “The SIR of voter lists must be conducted with complete transparency, honesty, fairness and account…

Kurnool conclave stresses accurate voter lists for a ... - Dailyhunt K urnool: A Special Intensive Revision (SIR) awareness programme was organized at Urdu Ghar Shadi Khana in Kurnool city to educate citizens on the importance of voter registration and the verification of electoral records. Advertisement The programme was conducted under the leadership of Syed Mahmood Peer Qadri, Editor-in-Chief of The Peer Times, with the objective of creating greater awareness about the ongoing electoral roll revision process. Former Kurnool MLA and YSR Congress Party State Minority Working President MA Hafeez Khan attended the event as the chief guest on Thursday. Addressing the gathering, he underscored the importance of ensuring that every eligible citizen is enrolled in the voter list and that electoral records remain accurate and up to date. He said public participation in the revision process is crucial for safeguarding democratic values and strengthening the electoral system. Hafeez Khan urged citizens, particularly youth and members of minority communities, to verify their voter details and make use of the opportunities provided under the SIR programme to correct or update their informat…

Opposition alleges SIR manipulation, 23 parties write to CJI: Ghose Trinamool Congress (TMC) Rajya Sabha MP Sagarika Ghose on Tuesday alleged that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process of electoral rolls was being "manipulated" to benefit the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and said 23 Opposition parties had jointly written to the Chief Justice of India (CJI), seeking judicial scrutiny of the electoral process. Speaking to ANI, Ghose claimed the Opposition was united in raising concerns over the SIR exercise and accused the Election Commission of acting in favour of the ruling party. "There is complete unity, complete unity in the non-NDA opposition, that the SIR process is being used for the benefit of the BJP to manipulate election results. In an unprecedented move, this has not happened before, 23 opposition parties... have written a joint letter to the Chief Justice of India appealing to the conscience of the judiciary at the manner in which the SIR process is being used to benefit the BJP," Ghose said. She alleged that elections, the voting process and the electoral process were being manipulated and said the Opposition had approached the judiciary to examine the issue…

SIR row: DMK, TMC allege 'BJP plot' to delete voters; ECI defends ... The Election Commission of India’s (ECI) decision to conduct a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has triggered strong political reactions in multiple states, with opposition parties accusing the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of attempting to manipulate voter lists ahead of upcoming elections. In Tamil Nadu, the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and its allies have alleged that the ECI’s move was politically motivated and designed to “disenfranchise” sections of the electorate before the 2026 Assembly elections. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin called the revision a “vote theft attempt” and vowed to resist it. “To conduct SIR in a hasty and opaque manner is nothing but a conspiracy by the ECI to rob citizens of their rights and help the BJP,” Stalin said in a post on X. He added that conducting the exercise during the monsoon months of November and December would pose “serious practical difficulties.” Citing Bihar’s recent experience, Stalin claimed that women, minorities, and Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe voters were removed from rolls “without transparency,” fueling public distrust. …

EC, handmaiden of BJP; SIR in TN a Bihar model shortcut to facilitate ... Slamming the Election Commission of India (ECI) as a handmaiden of the BJP, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president MK Stalin on Sunday alleged that the Special Intensive Rolls revision exercise in the poll-bound state was a replication of the Bihar model designed to facilitate the AIADMK-BJP in the 2026 assembly poll. “By removing the working people, scheduled castes, minorities, and women from the voters list through the SIR, the BJP and its ally, the AIADMK are calculating to win the election. But, as far as Tamil Nadu is concerned, it will prove to be a wrong calculation of those who don’t have the strength to meet the people,” he said in a letter to the party cadre. Advertisement His strong reaction comes in the wake of the EC informing the Madras High Court that the SIR will commence in Tamil Nadu in a week. The DMK government is opposed to the SIR ”as a dangerous ploy to remove genuine voters from the marginalised sections of society and also to alter the political demography by including migrant workers from northern states to help the BJP,” the letter said. Advertisement “Citing the SIR in pol…

SIR showdown in Bengal: Mamata, BJP hold rallies - Rediff.com Last updated on: November 05, 2025 02:50 IST Rallies, counter-rallies, and fiery speeches from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her chief critic, Suvendu Adhikari, escalated the state's already hyper-charged political atmosphere on Tuesday which marked the effective start of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The political activities, coupled with fresh reports of multiple deaths during the day allegedly provoked by citizenship trauma, signalled that the voter roll revision process would serve as the primary battleground for the assembly elections due next year. The SIR exercise commenced with over 80,000 booth-level officers visiting homes to distribute over 16 lakh enumeration forms on the first day, a senior official said. While Banerjee mounted a blistering attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Election Commission, and accused them of turning the SIR into a political tool for a 'silent, invisible rigging' ahead of the polls, Adhikari dared the Trinamool Congress to stop the exercise and demanded that every Bangladeshi infiltrator be deported from the country. Following…

BJP conspiracy to remove voters from Rajasthan electoral rolls, alleges ... The Congress on Monday accused the BJP-led government in Rajasthan of conspiring to “fraudulently” remove the names of opposition supporters from the electoral rolls, alleging a systematic attempt to undermine the democratic process under the cover of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voters’ lists. Addressing a press conference in Jaipur alongside leader of the Opposition in the Rajasthan Assembly Tikaram Jully, state Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasra said the party would not allow what he described as a “murder of democracy” in the state. Dotasra claimed that following the SIR exercise, the draft electoral roll released by the Election Commission showed around 45 lakh voters marked as “absent, shifted or deceased”, after which objections were invited. He alleged that the process was running smoothly until 3 January when BJP national general secretary (organisation) B.L. Santosh visited the state. “Until 3 January, there was no chaos. After that visit, a process of fraudulently adding and deleting votes began,” Dotasra alleged. Citing data accessed from the Election Commission’s websit…

Bihar voters revision: 4.96 crore need not to submit documents Electors showing Enumeration Forms during the Special Intensive Revision Drive in Bihar, Image Courtesy ECI-X New Delhi:The ongoing electoral revision drive by the Election Commission of India (ECI) has sparked a major political row in the poll bound state of Bihar with opposition parties expressing concerns that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drive of ECI might lead to exclusion of a significant chunk of voters. Though amidst the speculation raised by the opposition parties that the drive could lead to disfranchising of voters particularly from the poor and marginalized groups, the ECI officials on July 2 met with representatives from various political parties to discuss their concerns regarding the special drive at Nirvachan Sadan. “Representatives of various political parties(PPs) met Election Commission comprising CEC Gyanesh Kumar along with ECs Dr Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr Vivek Joshi at ECI, New Delhi, today to discuss the issues related to Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar,” said a post of ECI on X. The Commission further informed that the SIR is being conducted in accordance with provisions…

'SIR scam' in Ramanagara, norms violated, says Union Minister Kumaraswamy BENGALURU: Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Thursday alleged that the ruling Congress is attempting to include illegal immigrants from Bangladesh in the voters’ list in Ramanagara (Bengaluru South district). Addressing reporters here, he alleged that the Election Commission’s norms are being violated during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Ramanagara. Terming it a SIR scam, Kumaraswamy released a video of the exercise at a community hall in Ramanagara. He alleged that the Congress government is attempting to derail the SIR exercise not only in Ramanagara, but also in other parts of Karnataka. He demanded that the Ramanagara deputy commissioner be suspended immediately and action initiated against all officials responsible for the alleged irregularities. He alleged that on the direction of the chief minister, attempts are being made to create documents for thousands of fake voters, including illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. He urged the EC to intervene immediately and put an end to the alleged irregularities. Stating that the alleged irregularities in SIR spoke about the state…

SIR must not remove Telangana Gulf migrants' votes: KTR BRS working president KT Rama Rao (KTR) Hyderabad: The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) will approach the Election Commission of India to ensure that the voting rights of Telangana residents working in Gulf countries are protected during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, party working president KT Rama Rao (KTR) said on Friday, May 22. KTR raises concerns of Gulf-based NRIs Addressing a review meeting with party leaders and Assembly constituency in-charges from the undivided Nizamabad district, KTR said the party had received concerns from a large number of Gulf-based Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) over the possibility of their names being removed from voter lists during the revision process being undertaken by the Election Commission. He said the BRS would soon send a delegation of senior leaders, MLAs and MPs to New Delhi to meet the Central Election Commission and seek measures to safeguard the voting rights of Telangana citizens living abroad for employment. “The voting rights of Telangana people who migrated to Gulf countries for livelihood should not be removed under any circumstances. We will en…

Karnataka: Protect Genuine Voters During Sir Exercise, Hariprasad Tells ... MANGALURU:Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President BK Hariprasad on Tuesday asked Congress workers to take the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process seriously and ensure that no genuine voter was left out of the rolls. He alleged that the RSS and BJP were seeking to exclude minorities as part of a larger political agenda. Addressing an awareness programme on SIR in Mangaluru, Hariprasad alleged that the RSS and BJP were working towards the goal of establishing a "Hindu Rashtra" and that if these people could be branded as not citizens, it would become easier. Describing pluralism as the soul of India, Hariprasad said the Congress viewed governance as a responsibility rather than a means to acquire power. "Every citizen of this country is an Indian citizen. If anyone is denied that recognition because of religion or any other reason, it must be opposed strongly," he said. He urged Congress workers to ensure that genuine voters, particularly labourers, farmers, slum dwellers, and other vulnerable groups, were not left out of the rolls due to a lack of documentation. "Those wh…

Kharge slams BJP over Bihar electoral roll revision, alleges voter ... ANI Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accused the BJP on Sunday of conspiring to deprive the people of Bihar of their voter rights through the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and said the voters of the state would teach the saffron party a lesson for its attack on democracy and the Constitution. He cited a new advertisement issued by the Election Commission (EC), urging the voters of Bihar to only fill a form under the SIR, and alleged that "when people rise, BJP backtracks". "With the support of the Election Commission, the master plan that the BJP had devised to deprive crores of people in Bihar of their voting rights now seems to be ensnaring the BJP itself," Kharge alleged in a post in Hindi on X. He said from the very first day, the Congress has been raising its voice against the SIR. "Why are people who have been voting election after election being asked to show their documents for voting? Live Events "Forcibly depriving the poor, weak, deprived, Dalits, oppressed and backward people of their voting rights is the conspiracy of the BJP-RSS," he alleged. The Congress chief claimed t…

Karnataka: Protect Genuine Voters During Sir Exercise, Hariprasad ... M ANGALURU: Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President BK Hariprasad on Tuesday asked Congress workers to take the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process seriously and ensure that no genuine voter was left out of the rolls. Advertisement He alleged that the RSS and BJP were seeking to exclude minorities as part of a larger political agenda. Addressing an awareness programme on SIR in Mangaluru, Hariprasad alleged that the RSS and BJP were working towards the goal of establishing a "Hindu Rashtra" and that if these people could be branded as not citizens, it would become easier. Describing pluralism as the soul of India, Hariprasad said the Congress viewed governance as a responsibility rather than a means to acquire power. "Every citizen of this country is an Indian citizen. If anyone is denied that recognition because of religion or any other reason, it must be opposed strongly," he said. He urged Congress workers to ensure that genuine voters, particularly labourers, farmers, slum dwellers, and other vulnerable groups, were not left out of the rolls due to a lack of documentation. "Those who are b…

Political leaders, civil society to oppose SIR in Karnataka BENGALURU: Apprehensive about mass exclusion of names from the voters’ list, political leaders and civil society organisations have decided to oppose the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Karnataka through a statewide campaign, ‘My Vote, My Right’. This is similar to the way they opposed implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). They have also decided to approach Congress leaders in the state, urging them to pass a unanimous resolution against SIR. This decision was taken at a Round Table meeting organised here on Friday. Opposing the SIR and what happened in Bihar, Clifton D’Rozario, state secretary of the CPI(ML) Liberation, said, “The mass exclusion of voters’ names in Bihar has resulted in the deletion of 68 lakh voters from the electoral rolls. This mainly includes women, Dalits, Muslims, especially migrant workers. In Bihar, the ECI refused to accept that most of the poor, illiterate, women, Scheduled Castes and Other Backward Classes do not possess documents, including birth certificates, passports, matriculation certificates or caste certificates.” He added…

Congress launches campaign to protect voting rights, slams BJP in K ... In a move aimed at safeguarding the electoral franchise of marginalised communities, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President BK Hariprasad on Thursday announced that the party has launched a massive grassroots awareness campaign across the state. The initiative follows the Election Commission of India's ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Speaking to reporters in Hubballi, Hariprasad alleged the BJP is using the exercise to systematically strip voting rights from the poor, especially in rural areas. Hariprasad said the Congress has appointed observers across most districts and talukas to spread awareness, particularly in rural and economically weaker sections. He said the effort is aimed at helping "genuine citizens" retain their voting rights. "The Congress Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee has launched an awareness programme. Since there is limited time, observers have been deputed in almost all districts and talukas to create awareness among voters, especially in rural areas where the poorest of the poor reside," Hariprasad said. He further alleged that the BJP was att…

SIR Row in Hubballi-Dharwad East: Joshi Alleges EC Norms Violated Hubballi:Alleging irregularities in the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Hubli-Dharwad East Assembly constituency, Union minister Prahlad Joshi on Friday sought immediate legal action against the officials allegedly responsible and those behind what he described as an attempt to misuse the constitutional process for the benefit of the ruling party. “After similar allegations in Ramanagara and Shiggaon-Savanur, alleged irregularities have now surfaced in the SIR of the electoral rolls in Ward No. 63, Booth No. 16 of the Hubli-Dharwad East constituency,” Joshi posted on X, accompanied with a video. In the video shared by Joshi, a man is heard asking the booth-level officer (BLO) about the activity. She responds that people from distant places had come. The man then says there is no such provision under the SIR process. The BLO is also heard saying that she has been visiting households as part of the exercise. The video shows several people gathered inside a small building, with a large number of Enumeration forms visible at the location. “Shocking visuals have emerged showing the BLO allegedly…

TPCC chief asks cadre to be alert during SIR exercise HYDERABAD: Alleging that lakhs of voter names were deleted in West Bengal ahead of the recent Assembly elections, TPCC president B Mahesh Kumar Goud on Friday asked the Congress cadre to be cautious during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls exercise to be carried out in Telangana. Speaking at the launch of a training programme for the grand old party’s Booth Level Agents on the SIR process at Gandhi Bhavan here, he stressed the need for Congress cadre and leaders to remain alert and thwart attempts to “manipulate” voter lists. “In West Bengal, around 60 lakh votes were removed from electoral rolls. These kinds of conspiracies by the BJP resulted in change of government in that state. Similar attempts should not be allowed in Telangana,” the Telangana PCC chief said. Stating that the Congress had successfully completed the “Sangathan Srujan Abhiyan” process in Telangana, he said: “BLAs have already been appointed in more than 90 Assembly constituencies. District and mandal committees too were almost fully constituted.” Urging party workers to carefully verify every vote and ensure that no eligible voter …

Aland 'vote chori': BJP ex-MLA targeted names that he thought were not ... As per thechargesheet submitted by theKarnataka Police’s Special Investigation Team (SIT)in the Aland ‘vote chori’ case, the names that were sought to be deleted from the electoral list for the Assembly constituency in 2022-23 were of those seen to not likely vote for former MLA Subhash Guttedar. In the May 2023 Assembly elections, Guttedar contested from the BJP ticket, and lost. He has been the Aland MLA twice each from the BJP and Congress. The SIT filed its chargesheet in a magistrate’s court on Friday inBengaluru, naming Guttedar, his son Harshananda, his personal aide Tipperudra, as well as operators of a data centre – Akram Pasha, Aslam Pasha, and Md Ashfaq – and a West Bengal native, Bapi Adya, who are alleged to have helped file the illegal applications for deletion of voter names. Guttedar had won from Aland in 2018 by a narrow margin of 697 votes. According to the SIT, the voter deletion attempt was made to avoid a repeat, after identifying voters who were not likely to vote for him in 2023. Applications were made for deletion of around 6,000 names, of which only 24 were found to be genuine as…

Inside the SIR: A voter roll exercise turning into a test of survival | CJP 10, Apr 2026 | CJP Team Spread the word: Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) Click to print (Opens in new window) A newly released booklet by Vote for Democracy (VFD) and Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) has raised serious concerns about the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, describing it as a process that is increasingly exclusionary, opaque, and burdensome for ordinary voters. Titled “Inside the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)” , the publication is positioned not only as a training manual to help citizens navigate the process, but also as an investigative and ground-based documentation of how the exercise is unfolding across states. Drawing from field experiences in states such as West Bengal, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat, the booklet argues that what is officially framed as a routine administrative revisi…

SIR process lacks transparency: Aam Admi Party - The Economic Times ANI The Aam Aadmi Party has criticized the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process for electoral rolls in Delhi, labeling it as "non-transparent." New Delhi:The entire SIR process of the Election Commission is designed in a "non-transparent manner, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) alleged on Tuesday as the special revision of electoral rolls began in Delhi. AAP's Delhi unit chief Saurabh Bharadwaj cited the issues raised by the party when names were deleted from the voter list before the 2025 assembly election. Read more: SIR forms to reach all voters, mapped or unmapped: Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer "In the past, we have asked the Election Commission to provide us a list of names deleted from the list with address, but they have refused to do so. We cannot verify whether the people whose names were deleted from the list actually live there (at the addresses mentioned in the electoral roll) or not," Bharadwaj said at a press conference at the party office. "The entire SIR process is planned in a way that there is no transparency in it," Bharadwaj added. Live Events The Special Intensive Revisi…

Udhayanidhi Stalin accuses Centre of targeting minority votes, urges ... Follow TNM'sWhatsAppchannel for news updates and story links. In a strongly worded statement, Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin alleged that the Centre’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drive has resulted in a massive number of voters being declared ineligible across the state. During a press conference in Chennai, Udhayanidhi reiterated Chief Minister M. K. Stalin’s earlier warning that the SIR process was being used as a tool to remove votes belonging to minorities, Dalits, and Muslims. “This is not just an administrative exercise. It is a deliberate attempt to disenfranchise vulnerable communities,” he alleged. According to Udhayanidhi, nearly 97 lakh names have been removed from the voters’ list in Tamil Nadu alone, with Chennai accounting for around 14 lakh deletions. He urged citizens to promptly verify whether their names still remain on the electoral roll, insisting that the ruling DMK would support anyone who finds their name missing. The Deputy Chief Minister also accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah of attempting to influence Tamil Nadu’s political landscape through “externa…

Bengal SIR exercise: EC steps in to shield BLOs from political ... Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email Kolkata, Oct 24 (IANS) Amid the likelihood of the notification for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in West Bengal being issued any day, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has decided to adopt multiple measures to ensure that booth-level officers (BLOs) remain immune from pressure or influence by political parties or the state administration once the revision process begins. Following a two-day meeting with Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) from all states in New Delhi that concluded on Thursday, the ECI made it clear that the SIR will first be conducted in states, including West Bengal, that are scheduled to go to the polls next year. Sources in the office of the CEO, West Bengal, said the commission is aware of apprehensions that BLOs in the state may face undue pressure, and is therefore planning safeguards to protect their autonomy. The first step, an insider said, will be to ensure complete administrative control over BLOs, who are state government employees, so that they cannot be transferred during the SIR exercise. The ECI has also decided that, until th…

Kannada-only SIR forms spark row in Bengaluru, EC asked to provide ... BENGALURU: The SIR of electoral rolls has triggered a fresh controversy in Bengaluru, with dozens of citizens taking to social media to question why SIR forms and 2002 electoral rolls are available only in Kannada. Critics argue that in a cosmopolitan city where a significant section of residents is not literate in Kannada, the language barrier could discourage eligible voters from participating in the exercise. Several social media users questioned how nearly 40% of Bengaluru’s population, many of who cannot read Kannada, are expected to verify details. They demanded that all SIR documents be made available in English and other languages. A director of a leading television channel told theTNIEthat while he could read Kannada, many younger residents could not. “...there is Gen Z that is far more comfortable with English. I have received numerous WhatsApp messages saying the forms and voter rolls should be in English as well,” he said. CHRI Director Venkatesh Nayak said the ECI’s objective should be to remove barriers. “SIR process has to make participation convenient for everyone,” he said. Nayak said gover…

Challenge to the ECI's Revision of Electoral Rolls in Bihar Home>Cases>Challenge to the ECI’s Revision of Electoral Rolls in Bihar Association for Democratic Reforms v Election Commission of India Citation: 2026 INSC 564 The Supreme Court upheld the ECI’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Bihar, stating that the measures adopted by the ECI were not excessive and manifestly arbitrary Decided Surya Kant CJI Joymalya Bagchi J Petitioners:Association for Democratic Reforms, Yogendra Singh Yadav, Manoj Jha, Mahua Moitra, People’s Union for Civil Liberties Lawyers:Adv Prasant Bhushan, Sr. Adv. Kapil Sibal, Sr. Adv. A.M. Singhvi, Sr. Adv. Gopal Sankaranarayanan, Shadan Farasat, Adv Nizam Pasha AoR Yash S Vijay, Adv Harshit Anand, Respondents:The Election Commission of India Lawyers:Sr. Adv. Rakesh Dwivedi Case Number:W.P.(C) No. 640/2025 PIL-W Next Hearing:August 12, 2025 Last Updated:May 27, 2026 TAGS:Article 14,Article 19,Article 21,Bihar,Election,Election Commission,Prashant Bhushan,Public Interest Litigation,Supreme Court Does the ECI’s SIR notification for Bihar violate fundamental rights under Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution? Was the ECI’s decision to…

23 Opposition parties write to Chief Justice of India over SIR Twenty-three Opposition parties on Tuesday sent a letter to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant appealing for the judiciary’s intervention over the conduct of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), “biased conduct” of elections by the Election Commission of India (ECI), and “manipulation” of election results. Sources said that parties such as the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) that are not in the INDIA bloc have also signed the letter along with Congress, Trinamool Congress (TMC), Samajwadi Party, and other parties. The content of the four-page letter revolved around the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls across the country, and its alleged misuse by the Election Commission of India to favour the ruling party, sources said. “We have appealed to the Judiciary to intervene because when all fails, Indian democracy looks at the Judiciary. Our letter includes specific examples from different states on how the SIR was being misused. While the larger theme is SIR, we have mentioned other election-related malpractices too and examples from different states,” said a source. Congress …

INDI Alliance Takes SIR Row To Chief Justice Of India, Alleges Misuse Of ... News Brief Arun Dhital Jun 30, 2026 | Updated 04:44 PM GMT+5:30 Save & read from anywhere! Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or theSwarajya app. INDI Alliance parties on Tuesday (30 June) wrote to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, seeking the judiciary's intervention over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the "biased conduct" of elections by the Election Commission of India (ECI), and alleged "manipulation" of poll results. Sources said the signatories included parties such as the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), alongside the Congress, Trinamool Congress (TMC), Samajwadi Party and others. The four-page letter centred on the nationwide SIR exercise and its purported misuse by the poll body to benefit the ruling party, sources said. "We have appealed to the Judiciary to intervene because when all fails, Indian democracy looks at the Judiciary. Our letter includes specific examples from different states on how the SIR was being misused. While the larger theme is SIR, we have mentioned other election-related malpractices too and examp…

Controversy Erupts Over Bihar's Voter Roll Revision: 'Vote-Bandi ... Controversy Erupts Over Bihar's Voter Roll Revision: 'Vote-Bandi' Allegations The Communist Party of India (Marxist Leninist) Liberation has termed the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar as 'disenfranchisement'. Concerns about potentially disenfranchising over two crore voters ahead of elections have led to opposition parties launching a campaign against the exercise, questioning its timing and legality. Devdiscourse News Desk | New Delhi | Updated: 03-07-2025 21:51 IST | Created: 03-07-2025 21:51 IST This image is AI-generated and does not depict any real-life event or location. It is a fictional representation created for illustrative purposes only. Country: India SHARE The Communist Party of India (Marxist Leninist) Liberation has accused the Bihar government of orchestrating 'vote-bandi', referring to the recent Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls as a disenfranchisement strategy. The party has announced plans to campaign against this decision. CPI(ML) Liberation's general secretary, Dipankar Bhattacharya, criticized the recent meeting with the Election Commission, st…

Bengal SIR: BJP alleges TMC opposing electoral roll revision to 'Shield ... Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee Union Minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sukanta Majumdar launched a scathing attack on the Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Sunday (Nov 23), asserting that the ruling party of West Bengal is actively opposing the Election Commission’s ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the state’s electoral rolls to shield what he claimed were “crores of unauthorised voters.” Speaking to a large gathering during the BJP’s Parivartan Yatra in Mohanpur, Paschim Medinipur, Majumdar claimed that the SIR exercise, which is intended to purify the voter lists, had been “welcomed” by all “bonafide citizens,” suggesting that resistance was coming solely from the TMC leadership. He directly questioned the TMC’s motives for opposition, alleging that numerous “unauthorised voters” had infiltrated the country and managed to obtain official documents, including ration cards and Aadhaar documents, with the explicit assistance of TMC leaders. Majumdar warned that the necessary deletion of these names from the voter rolls had “rattled” the ruling party, and he confidently predicted th…

23 parties, Independent MP write to CJI on Election Commission's SIR ... The Congress announced that 23 Opposition parties and one Independent MP have jointly written to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, raising concerns over the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process and other election-related issues. The Opposition alleges the SIR exercise undermines democracy, while the government insists it targets illegal infiltrators. New Delhi:The Congress on Tuesday said that a joint letter, now signed by 23 political parties and one Independent MP, has been sent to the Chief Justice of India, Justice Surya Kant, regarding the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process and other election-related issues. Congress MP Jairam Ramesh took to social media ‘X’ and said, “21 political parties plus one Independent attended the INDIA janbandhan meeting on June 8, 2026 where a decision was taken to address a joint letter to the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India on the SIR process of the Election Commission of India and other election-related issues.” “Accordingly a joint letter now signed by 23 political parties plus one Independent has been…

SIR Row Escalates: 23 Opposition Parties Unite To Write To CJI, Seek ... Twenty-three Opposition parties, along with one Independent MP, have jointly written to the Chief Justice of India expressing concerns over the Election Commission of India 's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process and other election-related issues. The letter, backed by key INDIA bloc constituents including the Congress, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and DMK, comes after behind-the-scenes consultations among alliance partners and marks a coordinated push to seek judicial attention on the contentious voter roll revision exercise. In a post on X, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh said that the letter, initially discussed at an INDIA Janbandhan meeting on June 8, has been signed by 23 political parties and one Independent. "21 political parties plus one Independent attended the INDIA Janbandhan meeting on June 8, 2026, where a decision was taken to address a joint letter to the Hon'ble Chief Justice of India on the SIR process of the Election Commission of India and other election-related issues. AAP, DMK also among signatories Accordingly, a joint letter now signed by 23 political parties plus one Independent…

'Re-Exam Only Solution', Says Khan Sir As BPSC Protests Intensify In ... Patna:Aspirants and educators protesting to demand the re-examination of the 70th Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) have intensified in Patna. Prominent educator Faizal Khan, popularly known as Khan Sir, has been at the forefront of these demonstrations, emphasising that a re-examination is the only solution to address the alleged irregularities. Talking to the IANS, Khan Sir highlighted evidence suggesting misconduct during the examinations held on January 4, 2025, at various centres across Bihar. Khan Sir pointed out the non-political nature of the movement and called for Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Principal Secretary Deepak Kumar to consider their demands for a re-examination. “We only have one demand, re-exam, nothing short of that will be acceptable,” he said. The protests have seen significant participation from aspirants and educators alike. On February 17, demonstrators marched from Mullsllahpur to Gardani Bagh in Patna, carrying placards and demanding the cancellation of the examination. Khan Sir expressed confidence in the legal process, statin…

Abhishek alleges 'triple violation' of SC directives, statutory ... National Abhishek alleges 'triple violation' of SC directives, statutory provisions in SIR exercise in Bengal NewsDrum Desk 21 Feb 2026 22:30 IST Follow Us New Update Kolkata, Feb 21 (PTI) Senior TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee on Saturday alleged a "triple violation" of statutory provisions and Supreme Court directives by the Election Commission in the conduct of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voters' list in West Bengal. In a post on X, the TMC national general secretary claimed that Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) are unable to monitor the work of Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs) on the ECINet portal. This contravenes "Sections 13B and 13C of the Representation of the People Act", which provide that electoral rolls shall be prepared and revised by the EROs and that AEROs assist them, Banerjee said. The TMC MP further claimed that this also runs contrary to the Supreme Court’s orders, dated February 9 and February 20, which, he said, stipulate that final decisions on inclusion in the voter list must be taken by EROs and that claims under the “Logical Discrepancy/Unmapped” category are t…

Why anti-SIR movements must remain independent of Congress Follow TNM'sWhatsAppchannel for news updates and story links. A committee comprising intellectuals and activists that has been consistently campaigning against Special Intensive Revision (SIR) recently held extensive discussions with the Chief Minister of Karnataka, the Deputy Chief Minister, and other cabinet members. The purpose of these discussions was to communicate the committee’s concerns regarding the harmful implications of SIR for Indian democracy and for the citizenship rights of marginalised communities, especially in the wake of West Bengal elections and their results. The committee submitted a set of demands calling for the suspension of the SIR process in Karnataka. However, the Congress government refrained from making any explicit commitment and reportedly responded by stating that the matter would be discussed internally before any decision was communicated. To date, the Congress party has not formally opposed SIR in any state. In fact, senior party leader Sashi Tharoor recently claimed that the revision had helped the Congress win in Kerala. In Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has stated that he…

Why Opposition parties are up in arms against ECI's pan-India Special ... Agencies The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday announced the second phase of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, a process meant to verify and update voter lists by adding new voters and deleting ineligible ones. The initial phase will leave out states like Maharashtra, where local body elections are to be held by January 31, 2026, as per Supreme Court directives, as well as the snow-bound states/UTs of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Ladakh. The last intensive revision of electoral rolls in India was undertaken two decades ago. The first phase of SIR was completed in Bihar with zero appeals, said Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar while making the announcement. The ongoing SIR exercise is the ninth since Independence, with the last one conducted 21 years ago, during 2002–04. While the ECI maintains that SIR is a routine, technical exercise to ensure clean electoral rolls ahead of major elections, opposition parties across several states are questioning its timing, intent, and execution. Live Events Their central charge: that SIR is being used b…

Karnataka HC sets aside Congress MLA Subba Reddy's election Karnataka HC Cancels Subba Reddy’s 2023 Assembly Victory BENGALURU:In an ironic political twist, the Karnataka High Court on February 16 set aside the election of Bagepalli Congress MLA S.N. Subba Reddy, at a time when the Congress leadership has been aggressively accusing the BJP of “vote chori” (vote theft) and electoral manipulation at the national level. The High Court bench led by Justice M.G.S. Kamal delivered the verdict while hearing an election petition filed by defeated BJP candidate C. Muniraj, who had challenged Subba Reddy’s 2023 Assembly victory from Bagepalli. The court declared the election invalid on grounds related to non-disclosure of material information in the nomination affidavit. Copies of the order have been directed to be sent to the Election Commission and the Karnataka Legislative Assembly Secretariat. The timing of the judgment has triggered sharp political reactions, particularly because senior Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, have repeatedly alleged electoral malpractice and “vote chori” in BJP-ruled states and during parliamentary elections. The High Court’s decision has now hand…

Telangana gears up for SIR starting 25 June; Hyderabad voters fear mass ... Published Jun 17, 2026 | 12:22 PM⚊Updated Jun 17, 2026 | 12:22 PM Election Commission of India. (iStock) Synopsis:Telangana will begin the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls on 25 June, covering anomalies flagged in pre‑SIR mapping. Booth Level Officers will conduct door‑to‑door verification until 24 July, with draft rolls on 31 July and final rolls on 1 October. Concerns persist in Hyderabad, where large voter deletions are feared, prompting political and activist interventions. Telangana is gearing up for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, scheduled to begin on 25 June, Thursday. The Chief Electoral Officer of Telangana, C Sudarshan Reddy, announced the schedule for SIR after a months-long pre-SIR mapping phase that flagged around 89 lakh anomalies across the state. This procedure is part of phase III of SIR announced by the Election Commission of India (ECI), covering 16 states and three union territories. Election officials conducted an awareness meeting with representatives of political parties on 12 June, briefing them on the process, timelines, and impleme…

Bihar: RJD alleges BJP agents distributed slips with party symbol ... RJD alleged that BJP agents were sharing slips with party leaders' photo and symbol at several Motihari polling booths. | Rashtriya Janata Dal, @RJDforIndia/X The Rashtriya Janata Dal on Tuesday alleged that Bharatiya Janata Party polling agents were distributing slips with the photographs of leaders of the ruling National Democratic Alliance, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the party’s election symbol to voters inside polling booths in Bihar’s Motihari Assembly constituency. Voting in 122 of the 243 Assembly seats was underway on Tuesday in the second and final phase of the Bihar elections. The Opposition party claimed that such incidents were taking place in booth numbers 229 and 230 and that similar complaints were being received from several other booths in the constituency. Responding to the allegations, the Election Commission said that a first information report has been registered in the matter. Two arrests have also been made, said the poll body. Ahead of the second phase of voting, RJD leader and the Opposition’s chief ministerial face Tejashwi Yadav said that the Mahagath…

ECI seeks responses from Mamata, Ritabrata Banerjee over rival claims ... The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday sought responses from rival factions of the All India Trinamool Congress regarding competing claims about the party’s organisational elections and authorised signatories, signalling the poll body’s intervention in the internal dispute. In a press note, the Commission said it has written separate letters to Mamata Banerjee and party leader Ritabrata Banerjee regarding the “claims and counter claims by both factions with respect to organisational elections/authorised signatories of All India Trinamool Congress.” Advertisement “The Election Commission of India has written letters to both Ms Mamta Banerjee and Mr Ritabrata Banerjee regarding the claims and counter claims by both factions with respect to organisational elections/authorised signatories of All India Trinamool Congress,” the ECI said in its statement. Advertisement The Commission said both sides have been directed to submit their responses by 5.30 pm on Monday, July 6, 2026. “They have been asked to submit their responses by 5:30 PM on Monday, July 06, 2026,” the poll panel added. The development ca…