INDIA bloc files petition over SIR voter deletions

The INDIA bloc, led by Rahul Gandhi and joined by multiple party leaders, filed a petition with the Supreme Court on Monday, seeking judicial scrutiny of the voter deletion process under the Smart Voter Registration (SIR) initiative.

The petition calls for the suspension of SIR without questioning its legality and the inclusion of eligible voters in the electoral rolls of Punjab and other states. It also demands a review of the procedures governing the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

The petitioners requested the court to form a panel of a retired Supreme Court judge, technical experts, and persons of eminence to examine the integrity of electoral-roll databases and the SIR rollout. They emphasized that all decisions under SIR must comply with constitutional and statutory requirements.

The opposition highlighted alleged unlawful modifications to Form 6, used for voter enrollment, which they claim imposes an unnecessary burden on eligible citizens, particularly first-time voters. They argued that such changes may result in the exclusion of individuals who should be enrolled.

The Supreme Court registry identified several defects in the petition, and the counsel representing the petitioners stated they would address these issues. The bloc also objected to the centralized and opaque functioning of ECINET and ERONET databases, citing large-scale voter exclusions without proper notice or restoration mechanisms.

The petition invokes constitutional rights under Articles 14, 19, 21, and 324, urging the Supreme Court to direct the Election Commission to produce complete files, meeting minutes, and access logs related to SIR decisions. Pending the court's decision, the bloc insists the EC must function democratically and ensure Form 6 conforms to the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.