Deleted voters, unanswered questions: INDIA bloc’s 10 demands to Supreme Court

New Delhi: The INDIA bloc has filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging aspects of the Election Commission of India's (ECI) ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and raising concerns over alleged electoral irregularities.

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and other INDIA bloc leaders are among those associated with the legal challenge filed on Monday. As Gandhi could not reach the Supreme Court to submit the petition in person, his advocate, S Prasanna, filed it.

The petition names the Election Commission of India, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the two other election commissioners, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, as respondents.

The petition questions what it describes as the “unilateral and arbitrary exercise” of the Election Commission's collective powers by the chief election commissioner during the SIR. It also raises concerns about the integrity of the electoral process and the constitutional rights of eligible citizens to register as voters and exercise their franchise.

What are the 10 demands in the INDIA bloc's petition?

1. Suspend the ongoing SIR

The petition seeks an order directing the Election Commission to suspend the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls across the states and Union territories until the issues raised in the case are considered and decided by the court.

2. Disclose records and digital access logs

The petition seeks the disclosure of complete files, agendas, minutes, official notings and objections relating to disputed SIR decisions. It also seeks relevant access logs from ECINET and ERONET, along with the complete file concerning the decision dated June 24, 2025, to commence the nationwide SIR.

The demand is linked to constitutional protections under Articles 14, 19 and 21, read with Article 324 of the Constitution.

3. Review the legality of SIR decisions

The INDIA bloc has asked the court to examine whether the disputed decisions comply with Article 324 of the Constitution, Section 18 of the 2023 law governing election commissioners and the Supreme Court's ruling in T.N. Seshan v. Union of India. It has also sought the quashing or setting aside of decisions found to be unlawful.

4. Take action against those responsible for violations

The petition seeks action against individuals found responsible for violating constitutional or statutory provisions governing the preparation and revision of electoral rolls, including Section 32 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.

5. Ensure that ECI decisions are properly recorded

The petition seeks a direction requiring the Election Commission to ensure that all decisions relating to the SIR are taken and formally recorded in accordance with Section 18 of the 2023 Act.

6. Ensure Form 6 follows prescribed rules

The INDIA bloc has sought directions to ensure that the online Form 6 used for voter registration conforms to the form prescribed under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, unless the rules are lawfully amended through the applicable procedure.

7. Set up an independent audit committee

One of the central demands is the constitution of an independent committee headed by a retired Supreme Court judge, with technical experts and other eminent citizens.

The proposed committee would audit voter deletions and modifications during the SIR, as well as access to and changes made to electoral-roll databases, including ECINET and ERONET.

The petition also seeks a review of decisions, policies, procedures and technical systems relating to electronic voting machines, with reference to global best practices for free and fair elections.

8. Publish booth-wise lists of deleted voters

The petition seeks the publication of booth-wise lists identifying voters deleted during the SIR, the reasons for each deletion and a breakdown by age and gender.

It also calls for an effective mechanism to restore the names of eligible voters to the electoral rolls.

9. Provide notice and a hearing before deleting names

The INDIA bloc has sought a direction that no voter's name be deleted from the electoral rolls without prior notice and a reasonable opportunity to be heard, in accordance with the law.

The petition also seeks to ensure that eligible people in Punjab and other poll-bound states can apply for inclusion in the electoral rolls until the last date permitted by law.

10. Grant further relief to protect voting rights

Finally, the petition asks the Supreme Court to grant any other relief it considers appropriate to protect the integrity of the electoral process and the right of every eligible citizen to vote.

Why the petition matters

The dispute centres on how electoral rolls are revised, how decisions affecting voters are documented and what safeguards should apply when names are removed.

An electoral-roll revision can affect whether eligible citizens are able to vote. The petition therefore seeks greater transparency in the revision process, independent scrutiny of deletions and a clear procedure for restoring the names of eligible voters.

The INDIA bloc's demands are requests for judicial intervention; they should not be treated as findings that the Election Commission has acted unlawfully. The Supreme Court's consideration of the petition will determine how the legal issues raised are addressed.