Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and the dispute over the Election Commission and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
The Election Commission of India (ECI) is checking voter lists house to house in many states. This is called the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). In September 2026, court hearings and reports of disagreement inside the ECI led to a dispute over its work and over Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
Written by Orbit, our AI, from public sources. The team has not checked it yet. Every claim links to its source.
What happened in September 2026?
On 22 September, the Supreme Court heard a Delhi petition on SIR. It asked the ECI to explain what a "logical discrepancy" is. On 23 September, the Indian Express reported that two Election Commissioners had recorded objections. The ECI said its final decisions were unanimous. On 26 September, the ECI changed the SIR schedules for Delhi and Maharashtra.
Article 324 of the Constitution gives the ECI control over running elections. A 2023 law says the Commission's business should be unanimous where possible. If views differ, the majority decides. In SIR, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) visit homes, a draft roll is published, and people can file Form 6 (add a name), Form 7 (object) or Form 8 (correct).
Voters in SIR states are affected. In Delhi, petitioners say about 33.13 lakh people in the draft roll were marked for notices. They say some deleted voters were told to fill Form 6 as new applicants. The ECI says a notice is not a deletion. Officials such as BLOs also do the field work.
On 22 September, the Supreme Court said Delhi notices seemed to be issued "almost mechanically". The ECI told it that no voter would be deleted without due process. The next Delhi hearing was moved to 28 October. Home Minister Amit Shah said in December 2025 that the Constitution makes SIR the ECI's job.
No court has ruled on the dispute over recorded objections inside the ECI. A plea by Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders was listed in the Supreme Court on 15 October. It asks for an independent audit, a pause in SIR and the commissioners' files. The notes do not give the outcome. No impeachment motion against Mr Kumar was found.
Established: The ECI is running SIR under its Article 324 powers. On 22 September 2026 the Supreme Court said Delhi notices seemed issued \"almost mechanically\" and asked the ECI to explain \"logical discrepancy\". The ECI told the court no voter would be deleted without due process. The Indian Express reported at least 14 written objections by two commissioners. The ECI said its final decisions were unanimous. Claimed by one side: The ECI and the BJP say the rolls need cleaning and that internal objections do not show wrong decisions. Claimed by the other side: Critics say mass deletions risk real voters and that the ECI helped the BJP. The ECI and the BJP deny this. Sources differ on some counts, such as Delhi notices (about 30 lakh versus 33.13 lakh). Not yet decided: The Supreme Court heard a plea on 15 October; the outcome was not found. The Delhi hearing is set for 28 October. No court has ruled on the dissent row.
Different views on this issue, in simple words. SocialWire shows them; it does not say which is right.
Supporters argue
The ECI and its supporters say the rolls need cleaning and that all final decisions were unanimous. The BJP and Organiser say disagreement alone does not prove a wrong decision.
The ECI says dead, shifted and duplicate names must be removed.
The ECI says a notice is not a deletion.
The BJP says internal objections do not mean elections were manipulated.
Amit Shah says the Constitution gives SIR to the ECI.
The dispute involves state officials and state leaders. The ECI says State Chief Electoral Officers asked for the Delhi and Maharashtra schedule changes.
Karnataka CM Shivakumar protested over Form 7 claims, and the ECI ordered a probe.
The ECI rejected Mamata Banerjee's 2026 allegations in West Bengal as false.
What the law or the rule says, in plain words. This page says what the law says, not who is right.
Article 324, Constitution of India
The ECI's power over elections
Article 324 gives the ECI the work of guiding, directing and controlling elections. The ECI cites it for SIR. Petitioners in the Bihar case say the order goes against Articles 14, 19, 21, 325 and 326. That is their claim, not a court finding.
Section 21, Representation of the People Act, 1950
How an SIR works
The voter roll is frozen. Booth Level Officers check homes. A draft roll is published. People can use Form 6 to be added, Form 7 to object to a name, and Form 8 to correct details. Wikipedia says SIR is done under this section.
Section 18, CEC and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023
Decisions when commissioners differ
This section says the Commission's business should be unanimous where possible. If opinions differ, the majority decides. A 1995 Supreme Court ruling said the same. Commentators say an internal objection is different from a formal difference of opinion. No court has ruled on the current dispute.
The ECI began the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists in Bihar.
The ECI announced the second phase of SIR, covering 12 states and Union Territories.
Delhi's draft voter roll was published. The window for claims and objections opened.
The Supreme Court heard a Delhi SIR petition. It asked the ECI to explain "logical discrepancy" notices.
The Indian Express reported objections by two Election Commissioners. The ECI said its final decisions were unanimous.
The ECI revised SIR schedules for Delhi and Maharashtra.
Protests began, demanding that Mr Kumar step down. Police registered cases against some detainees.
Police briefly arrested several opposition legislators during a march in New Delhi.
The Supreme Court was to hear a plea by Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders on SIR.
Swipe through the issue, one card at a time.
1 of 16
What happened in September 2026?
On 22 September, the Supreme Court heard a Delhi petition on SIR. It asked the ECI to explain what a "logical discrepancy" is. On 23 September, the Indian Express reported that two Election Commissioners had recorded objections. The ECI said its final decisions were unanimous. On 26 September, the ECI changed the SIR schedules for Delhi and Maharashtra.
2 of 16
What do the law and rules say?
Article 324 of the Constitution gives the ECI control over running elections. A 2023 law says the Commission's business should be unanimous where possible. If views differ, the majority decides. In SIR, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) visit homes, a draft roll is published, and people can file Form 6 (add a name), Form 7 (object) or Form 8 (correct).
3 of 16
Who is affected?
Voters in SIR states are affected. In Delhi, petitioners say about 33.13 lakh people in the draft roll were marked for notices. They say some deleted voters were told to fill Form 6 as new applicants. The ECI says a notice is not a deletion. Officials such as BLOs also do the field work.
4 of 16
What have the courts and government said so far?
On 22 September, the Supreme Court said Delhi notices seemed to be issued "almost mechanically". The ECI told it that no voter would be deleted without due process. The next Delhi hearing was moved to 28 October. Home Minister Amit Shah said in December 2025 that the Constitution makes SIR the ECI's job.
5 of 16
What is still undecided?
No court has ruled on the dispute over recorded objections inside the ECI. A plea by Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders was listed in the Supreme Court on 15 October. It asks for an independent audit, a pause in SIR and the commissioners' files. The notes do not give the outcome. No impeachment motion against Mr Kumar was found.
6 of 16
Facts and figures
Delhi draft-roll electors marked for notices (petitioners' figure): about 33.13 lakh
Delhi final roll due date: 2026-12-04
Delhi claims window closes: 2026-10-30
Written objections by two commissioners in about 10 months (Indian Express): at least 14
BLOs and Electoral Registration Officers in Delhi (ECI to court): 14,000 BLOs; 1,200 EROs
West Bengal voters removed (reported to Supreme Court): 27.16 lakh
Bihar draft roll names excluded: about 65 lakh
Electors in Phase III (study site figure): about 36.73 crore
7 of 16
Supporters argue
The ECI and its supporters say the rolls need cleaning and that all final decisions were unanimous. The BJP and Organiser say disagreement alone does not prove a wrong decision.
8 of 16
Critics argue
Protesters and opposition parties say the ECI helped the BJP and ask for Mr Kumar's resignation. The ECI and the BJP deny this.
9 of 16
Constitutional lens
The ECI relies on Article 324. Petitioners rely on Articles 14, 19, 21, 325 and 326. The dissent row turns on Section 18 of the 2023 Act.
10 of 16
Federal lens
The dispute involves state officials and state leaders. The ECI says State Chief Electoral Officers asked for the Delhi and Maharashtra schedule changes.
11 of 16
Argued benefit for India
Supporters of SIR say it gives cleaner voter lists with fewer duplicate names. The ECI gives this as its aim.
12 of 16
Argued risk for India
Critics say wrongful deletions and a loss of trust in the Commission are the risks. The ECI disputes the bias charge.
13 of 16
The ECI's power over elections
Article 324 gives the ECI the work of guiding, directing and controlling elections. The ECI cites it for SIR. Petitioners in the Bihar case say the order goes against Articles 14, 19, 21, 325 and 326. That is their claim, not a court finding.
14 of 16
How an SIR works
The voter roll is frozen. Booth Level Officers check homes. A draft roll is published. People can use Form 6 to be added, Form 7 to object to a name, and Form 8 to correct details. Wikipedia says SIR is done under this section.
15 of 16
Decisions when commissioners differ
This section says the Commission's business should be unanimous where possible. If opinions differ, the majority decides. A 1995 Supreme Court ruling said the same. Commentators say an internal objection is different from a formal difference of opinion. No court has ruled on the current dispute.
16 of 16
What the sources show
Established: The ECI is running SIR under its Article 324 powers. On 22 September 2026 the Supreme Court said Delhi notices seemed issued \"almost mechanically\" and asked the ECI to explain \"logical discrepancy\". The ECI told the court no voter would be deleted without due process. The Indian Express reported at least 14 written objections by two commissioners. The ECI said its final decisions were unanimous. Claimed by one side: The ECI and the BJP say the rolls need cleaning and that internal objections do not show wrong decisions. Claimed by the other side: Critics say mass deletions risk real voters and that the ECI helped the BJP. The ECI and the BJP deny this. Sources differ on some counts, such as Delhi notices (about 30 lakh versus 33.13 lakh). Not yet decided: The Supreme Court heard a plea on 15 October; the outcome was not found. The Delhi hearing is set for 28 October. No court has ruled on the dissent row.
Making a reel on this? Everything you need in one place: the summary, the timeline, the facts and the sources.
Copied
Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and the dispute over the Election Commission and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
The Election Commission of India (ECI) is checking voter lists house to house in many states. This is called the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). In September 2026, court hearings and reports of disagreement inside the ECI led to a dispute over its work and over Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
TIMELINE
2025-06-24: The ECI began the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists in Bihar.
2025-10-27: The ECI announced the second phase of SIR, covering 12 states and Union Territories.
2026-08-31: Delhi's draft voter roll was published. The window for claims and objections opened.
2026-09-22: The Supreme Court heard a Delhi SIR petition. It asked the ECI to explain "logical discrepancy" notices.
2026-09-23: The Indian Express reported objections by two Election Commissioners. The ECI said its final decisions were unanimous.
2026-09-26: The ECI revised SIR schedules for Delhi and Maharashtra.
2026-10-02: Protests began, demanding that Mr Kumar step down. Police registered cases against some detainees.
2026-10-06: Police briefly arrested several opposition legislators during a march in New Delhi.
2026-10-15: The Supreme Court was to hear a plea by Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders on SIR.
THE BASICS
What happened in September 2026? On 22 September, the Supreme Court heard a Delhi petition on SIR. It asked the ECI to explain what a "logical discrepancy" is. On 23 September, the Indian Express reported that two Election Commissioners had recorded objections. The ECI said its final decisions were unanimous. On 26 September, the ECI changed the SIR schedules for Delhi and Maharashtra.
What do the law and rules say? Article 324 of the Constitution gives the ECI control over running elections. A 2023 law says the Commission's business should be unanimous where possible. If views differ, the majority decides. In SIR, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) visit homes, a draft roll is published, and people can file Form 6 (add a name), Form 7 (object) or Form 8 (correct).
Who is affected? Voters in SIR states are affected. In Delhi, petitioners say about 33.13 lakh people in the draft roll were marked for notices. They say some deleted voters were told to fill Form 6 as new applicants. The ECI says a notice is not a deletion. Officials such as BLOs also do the field work.
What have the courts and government said so far? On 22 September, the Supreme Court said Delhi notices seemed to be issued "almost mechanically". The ECI told it that no voter would be deleted without due process. The next Delhi hearing was moved to 28 October. Home Minister Amit Shah said in December 2025 that the Constitution makes SIR the ECI's job.
What is still undecided? No court has ruled on the dispute over recorded objections inside the ECI. A plea by Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders was listed in the Supreme Court on 15 October. It asks for an independent audit, a pause in SIR and the commissioners' files. The notes do not give the outcome. No impeachment motion against Mr Kumar was found.
FACTS AND FIGURES
Delhi draft-roll electors marked for notices (petitioners' figure): about 33.13 lakh (Delhi SIR: Supreme Court advances hearing to October 28; thinking of passing order - The Tribune)
Delhi final roll due date: 2026-12-04 (ECI revises Special Intensive Revision schedule of electoral rolls in Delhi, Maharashtra)
Delhi claims window closes: 2026-10-30 (ECI revises Special Intensive Revision schedule of electoral rolls in Delhi, Maharashtra)
Written objections by two commissioners in about 10 months (Indian Express): at least 14 (Internal Dissent vs Unanimous Decision: Understanding Election Commission's SIR Controversy)
BLOs and Electoral Registration Officers in Delhi (ECI to court): 14,000 BLOs; 1,200 EROs (Delhi SIR: SC questions basis of ‘logical discrepancy’ notices, seeks ECI response to pleas against voter verification p)
West Bengal voters removed (reported to Supreme Court): 27.16 lakh (Special Intensive Revision Under Scrutiny And Voting Rights In India - OpEd - Eurasia Review)
Bihar draft roll names excluded: about 65 lakh (Special Intensive Revision Under Scrutiny And Voting Rights In India - OpEd - Eurasia Review)
Electors in Phase III (study site figure): about 36.73 crore (Special Intensive Revision (SIR) by Election Commission ...)
PERSPECTIVES
Supporters argue: The ECI and its supporters say the rolls need cleaning and that all final decisions were unanimous. The BJP and Organiser say disagreement alone does not prove a wrong decision.
- The ECI says dead, shifted and duplicate names must be removed.
- The ECI says a notice is not a deletion.
- The BJP says internal objections do not mean elections were manipulated.
- Amit Shah says the Constitution gives SIR to the ECI.
Critics argue: Protesters and opposition parties say the ECI helped the BJP and ask for Mr Kumar's resignation. The ECI and the BJP deny this.
- Protesters say registrations were manipulated to help the BJP.
- Opposition parties asked for his resignation and Supreme Court action.
- Critics say mass deletions may cost real voters their vote.
- The ECI and the BJP deny the bias charge.
Constitutional lens: The ECI relies on Article 324. Petitioners rely on Articles 14, 19, 21, 325 and 326. The dissent row turns on Section 18 of the 2023 Act.
- The ECI cites its power to run elections under Article 324.
- Petitioners say SIR conflicts with equality, speech, life and voting rights.
- The DMK argued in 2025 that the cut-off year and document list are arbitrary.
- No court has ruled on the dissent row.
Federal lens: The dispute involves state officials and state leaders. The ECI says State Chief Electoral Officers asked for the Delhi and Maharashtra schedule changes.
- Karnataka CM Shivakumar protested over Form 7 claims, and the ECI ordered a probe.
- The ECI rejected Mamata Banerjee's 2026 allegations in West Bengal as false.
Argued benefit for India: Supporters of SIR say it gives cleaner voter lists with fewer duplicate names. The ECI gives this as its aim.
- Dead and shifted voters are removed.
- Duplicate entries are cut.
- Some sources say non-citizens are also removed.
- The ECI says its decisions are unanimous.
Argued risk for India: Critics say wrongful deletions and a loss of trust in the Commission are the risks. The ECI disputes the bias charge.
- Real voters could be left off the roll.
- ACLED and The Economist headlines call it a credibility problem.
- The Supreme Court found Delhi notices "almost mechanical".
- The ECI says no voter will be deleted without due process.
WHAT THE LAW SAYS
The ECI's power over elections (Article 324, Constitution of India): Article 324 gives the ECI the work of guiding, directing and controlling elections. The ECI cites it for SIR. Petitioners in the Bihar case say the order goes against Articles 14, 19, 21, 325 and 326. That is their claim, not a court finding.
How an SIR works (Section 21, Representation of the People Act, 1950): The voter roll is frozen. Booth Level Officers check homes. A draft roll is published. People can use Form 6 to be added, Form 7 to object to a name, and Form 8 to correct details. Wikipedia says SIR is done under this section.
Decisions when commissioners differ (Section 18, CEC and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023): This section says the Commission's business should be unanimous where possible. If opinions differ, the majority decides. A 1995 Supreme Court ruling said the same. Commentators say an internal objection is different from a formal difference of opinion. No court has ruled on the current dispute.
WHAT THE SOURCES SHOW
Established: The ECI is running SIR under its Article 324 powers. On 22 September 2026 the Supreme Court said Delhi notices seemed issued \"almost mechanically\" and asked the ECI to explain \"logical discrepancy\". The ECI told the court no voter would be deleted without due process. The Indian Express reported at least 14 written objections by two commissioners. The ECI said its final decisions were unanimous. Claimed by one side: The ECI and the BJP say the rolls need cleaning and that internal objections do not show wrong decisions. Claimed by the other side: Critics say mass deletions risk real voters and that the ECI helped the BJP. The ECI and the BJP deny this. Sources differ on some counts, such as Delhi notices (about 30 lakh versus 33.13 lakh). Not yet decided: The Supreme Court heard a plea on 15 October; the outcome was not found. The Delhi hearing is set for 28 October. No court has ruled on the dissent row.
SOURCES
Supreme Court Says ECI's 'Logical Discrepancy' Notices In Delhi SIR Appear to be 'Mechanical' - The Wire - https://m.thewire.in/article/rights/supreme-court-says-ecis-logical-discrepancy-notices-in-delhi-sir-appear-to-be-mechanical
Internal Dissent vs Unanimous Decision: Understanding Election Commission's SIR Controversy - https://taxguru.in/corporate-law/internal-dissent-unanimous-decision-eci-row-sir-means.html
ECI revises Special Intensive Revision schedule of electoral rolls in Delhi, Maharashtra - https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/eci-revises-special-intensive-revision-schedule-of-electoral-rolls-in-delhi-maharashtra20260926195800/
Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Electoral Rolls: Definition, Objectives, Significance, & Challenges - https://superkalam.com/current-affairs/articles/special-intensive-revision-sir-of-electoral-rolls-definition-objectives-significance-and-challenges
Delhi SIR: Supreme Court advances hearing to October 28; thinking of passing order - The Tribune - https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/india/delhi-sir-supreme-court-advances-hearing-to-october-28-thinking-of-passing-order/
Special Intensive Revision Under Scrutiny And Voting Rights In India - OpEd - Eurasia Review - https://www.eurasiareview.com/25092026-special-intensive-revision-under-scrutiny-and-voting-rights-in-india-oped/
Delhi SIR: SC questions basis of ‘logical discrepancy’ notices, seeks ECI response to pleas against voter verification p - https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/delhi-sir-sc-questions-basis-of-8216logical-discrepancy8217-notices-seeks-eci-response-to-pleas-against-voter-verification-process16020260922132936/
Delhi SIR: Clarify 'logical discrepancy' norms in electoral rolls, Supreme Court tells Election Commission - https://www.deccanherald.com/india/delhi/delhi-sir-clarify-logical-discrepancy-norms-in-electoral-rolls-supreme-court-tells-election-commission-4155224
December 10, 2025 8:14 PM - https://www.newsonair.gov.in/tag/electioncommission
Supreme Court to hear Rahul Gandhi's plea over SIR voter deletions; here's what the LoP's petition states - BusinessToda - https://www.businesstoday.in/india/story/supreme-court-to-hear-rahul-gandhi-plea-over-sir-voter-deletions-heres-what-the-lops-petition-states-561674-2026-10-15
SIR issue, restrictions on metro, police action, mass detentions in focus as Supreme Court hears pleas today - India TV - https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/sir-issue-restrictions-on-metro-police-action-mass-detentions-in-focus-as-supreme-court-hears-pleas-today-2026-10-15-1057000
Inside The Election Commission Controversy: What We Know So Far - - https://www.gulte.com/political-news/433624/inside-the-election-commission-controversy-what-we-know-so-far
Beyond ‘Vote Chori’: Ten facts on SIR, electoral rolls and the Election Commission of India - https://organiser.org/2026/10/04/383896/bharat/beyond-vote-chori-ten-facts-on-sir-electoral-rolls-and-the-election-commission-of-india/
India opposition leaders briefly arrested in protest against election chief - https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/10/6/india-opposition-leaders-briefly-arrested-in-protest-against-election-chief
Mass protests demanding poll chief resignation shake India for third day - https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/10/4/mass-protests-demanding-poll-chief-resignation-shake-india-for-third-day
Inside ECI Controversies: What Happens When Election Commissioners Disagree - https://www.outlookindia.com/national/inside-eci-controversies-what-happens-when-election-commissioners-disagree
supreme court to hear petitions against bihar electoral roll revision on july 10 - https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/india/supreme-court-to-hear-petitions-against-bihar-electoral-roll-revision-on-july-10
supreme court to hear on november 11 dmks plea against sir in tamil nadu 3790508 - https://www.deccanherald.com/india/tamil-nadu/supreme-court-to-hear-on-november-11-dmks-plea-against-sir-in-tamil-nadu-3790508
The Hindu - https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/eci-orders-probe-into-form-7-fraud-charge-after-karnataka-cm-shivakumars-protest/article71534408.ece
February 2, 2026 9:49 PM - https://www.newsonair.gov.in/ec-rejects-cm-mamata-banerjees-allegations-on-sir-in-west-bengal
Special Intensive Revision (SIR) by Election Commission ... - https://vajiramandravi.com/current-affairs/special-intensive-revision-of-electoral-rolls/
More: https://socialwire.in/issues/special-intensive-revision-of-electoral-rolls-and-the-disput
Dhruv Rathee