Election Commission Defends Voter Roll Revision in Supreme Court

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has filed a 248-page counter-affidavit with the Supreme Court defending its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The ECI denies allegations that it unauthorizedly amended Form 6, the statutory voter registration form, arguing that the additional declaration required for deleted voters is a separate document. However, the commission admitted that the online display of these requirements could be interpreted as an amendment.

Chief Justice Surya Kant and the Supreme Court are reviewing the matter following petitions from opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi. The court noted it would examine the new version of Form 6, as the judiciary had neither approved nor disapproved the changes. The ECI maintained that the SIR orders were the result of unanimous decisions by the three commissioners, including Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Opposition figures have rejected these claims. CPI MP P Sandosh Kumar argued that the claim of unanimity is a tactic to protect the Chief Election Commissioner and that the SIR violates the 1960 electoral registration rules. Parallel to the legal battle, the INDIA bloc has scheduled a Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao rally for November 1 at Ramlila Maidan to demand the removal of the Chief Election Commissioner. The Chamber of Trade and Industry has requested a postponement of the rally to avoid disrupting festive shopping during Dhanteras and Diwali.