What Are INDIA Bloc’s 6 Demands Over EVMs, SIR and Voter Rolls?

The Opposition INDIA bloc on Wednesday laid out six key demands on electoral reforms, including the use of pre-Special Intensive Revision (SIR) electoral rolls in future elections and a return to ballot paper voting instead of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). The demands were announced at a meeting of INDIA bloc parties in New Delhi amid an escalating political dispute over the Election Commission's voter-list revision exercise.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, who opened the meeting, said the Opposition parties would seek greater transparency in electoral-roll revisions, safeguards against the wrongful exclusion of eligible voters and simpler registration procedures for young and first-time voters. The bloc also demanded greater institutional accountability from the Election Commission and called for an election body that, in its view, commands confidence across the political spectrum. The Election Commission has maintained that the SIR process follows established procedures and has rejected suggestions of a split within the three-member poll panel. INDIA Bloc Leaders in Delhi for Key Meeting, Allies Call for CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s Resignation.

INDIA Bloc's Six Key Demands

The first demand is that the electoral roll prepared before the SIR exercise should be used for future elections. Kharge also sought complete transparency in every electoral-roll revision, including constituency-wise and booth-wise details of additions, deletions and corrections. The second demand concerns the removal of voters from electoral rolls. The INDIA bloc wants voters to receive prior notice and reasons before their names are deleted, along with an effective mechanism to appeal against such decisions.

Third, the Opposition has called for safeguards to ensure eligible voters are not excluded because of administrative failures, inadequate documentation or lack of awareness. The fourth demand is a return to ballot paper voting instead of EVMs. Kharge said the INDIA bloc wanted voting through ballots, linking the demand to concerns over transparency and public confidence in the electoral process.

The fifth demand relates to young and first-time voters. The bloc has called for a simple and accessible voter-registration process, arguing that procedural requirements should not create unnecessary barriers for citizens becoming eligible to vote. The sixth demand is focused on institutional accountability and the Election Commission's functioning. The bloc has sought an electoral institution that is transparent and capable of commanding confidence across the political spectrum. RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav Alleges “conspiracy Against Democracy” as INDIA Bloc Meets on SIR Row.

SIR And Electoral Roll Dispute

The demands come amid a continuing dispute over the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Kharge alleged at the meeting that 13.3 crore voters had been removed from electoral rolls. That figure and the Opposition's characterisation of the deletions have been disputed in the wider debate over SIR. The Election Commission has said the exercise is intended to identify and remove ineligible entries and ensure that electoral rolls remain accurate.

The Opposition has sought constituency-wise and booth-wise information about changes to electoral rolls, including the names deleted and the reasons for deletion. The INDIA bloc's concerns also extend to the registration process for first-time voters. Kharge questioned changes associated with Form 6 and argued that voter enrolment should remain straightforward for young citizens.

Separately, the Election Commission has withdrawn an additional SIR declaration attached to online Form 6 in states and Union territories where the revision exercise has been completed. Fresh applicants in those areas are now required to submit the statutory Form 6 prescribed under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.

INDIA Bloc Backs Return To Ballot Papers

The demand to replace EVM-based voting with ballot papers was one of the most prominent points raised at the meeting. Kharge said the INDIA bloc should push for ballot voting, arguing that the ballot and electoral mandate belong to the people. The demand comes amid longstanding political debate over EVMs and the Opposition's repeated calls for greater transparency in elections.

The Election Commission, meanwhile, has continued to defend its electoral procedures and has said that its decisions relating to SIR were taken through the established institutional process.

CEC Gyanesh Kumar Under Opposition Fire

The INDIA bloc meeting also focused on the functioning of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Kharge called for Kumar's removal and referred to reports that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections on multiple occasions over decisions and orders connected with the electoral-roll revision process.

The Election Commission has said that differences and observations during internal deliberations are normal and has maintained that decisions relating to SIR were taken unanimously. The dispute has intensified after reports that the two Election Commissioners had raised concerns on 14 occasions over a 10-month period. The Election Commission has said that focusing selectively on such internal observations does not present the complete picture of its functioning.

INDIA Bloc Announces Nationwide Protest Programme

The meeting also resulted in a joint programme of political action over the SIR exercise and the functioning of the Election Commission. The INDIA bloc announced district-level "Save Democracy" marches and demonstrations from October 2 to 8. Opposition MPs are scheduled to march to the Election Commission on October 6.

The bloc also plans to seek a meeting between Leaders of the Opposition and the President of India in October. Five major rallies are also planned, with their dates and venues to be announced separately. The announcements came as Opposition parties sought to present a coordinated response to the electoral-roll controversy and build a common campaign around voter registration, SIR and Election Commission accountability.

The Election Commission, for its part, has maintained that the SIR exercise is aimed at updating electoral rolls and removing ineligible entries while providing procedures for claims, objections and corrections. The INDIA bloc's latest demands therefore bring together several issues — SIR, voter-list transparency, voter registration, EVMs and the institutional functioning of the Election Commission — into a broader Opposition campaign on electoral reforms.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 30, 2026 03:37 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).