NewDelhi 3May26*“SIR controversy: Civil society raises serious questions about the Election Commission alleging

NewDelhi 3May26*“SIR controversy: Civil society raises serious questions about the Election Commission alleging disenfranchisement of 6.5 million voters.”

A Joint Call of Civil Society from across the States where SIR has been conducted,
as well as, from those identified for SIR: Phase 3.
With the introduction of SIR in June 2026, the Election Commission of India has lost
all credibility in conducting its duties based on Article 324 of the Indian
Constitution. The country shares deep disappointment with the Supreme Court,
that has so far been unable to defend the constitutional rights of
electorate/citizens of India.
The last one year has revealed the inability of the SIR to deliver an inclusive voter
list. And instead demonstrated manipulative intent.
STOP SIR
Undertake comprehensive Review, Rectification and Course Correction before
proceeding further with the updation of the voter rolls. Conclude the hearing
pending in the Supreme Court, providing a judgement that defends the rights of
Electorate, provided by the Constitution.
⮚ SIR is an unconstitutional, undemocratic, non-transparent and unscientific
process of electoral roll revision.
⮚ In the 13 states where SIR has been conducted so far, 6.5 crore rightful
voters have been deprived of their constitutional rights. During the SIR in
Bengal, 35 lakh voters seeking adjudication were denied verification, and
thereby lost their right to vote. This mass denial of this basic right has
proven beyond doubt that this is a flawed and mala fide process.
⮚ It is a matter of serious concern that those removed from the voter list are
largely women, migrant workers, nomadic communities, Adivasis, Dalits,
and members of minority communities. This significantly tampers with the
diverse make up of this country and disables universal adult franchise given
to every individual belonging to this country.
⮚ SIR has completely failed in its self-proclaimed objective of identifying and
removing so called “infiltrators.”
In this context we deman● No legitimate election process can be taken forward without the inclusion of
all rightful voters. The electorate of this country demands the election
process in all states be based on an inclusive voter list and an overall free,
fair and fully transparent election process.
● The SIR process cannot continue and must be halted. A thorough review
must be undertaken of the process carried out so far. The ongoing hearing in
the Supreme Court regarding the constitutional validity of SIR must first be
concluded. And thereafter the election process must proceed based on the
Constitution.
● The conduct of the Election Commission of India (ECI) has made it evident
that it is not an impartial institution, but a body politically aligned with the
ruling dispensation. We, therefore, demand that this ECI be removed and
the earlier process of selecting the ECI be restored.
● Finally, and most importantly, we wish to warn the ECI against its intentions
to manipulate the election results in Bengal, Tamilnadu, Kerala and
Puducherry, as it has demonstrated through its actions during the 2024 Lok
Sabha Elections and subsequently. As the Primary and Sovereign
stakeholders, We the People strongly condemn ECI’s actions. Let it be
clearly understood, ECI’s continued disregard for the Constitution and Our
Democracy will spark an all out agitation across the country.
On behalf of Civil Society:
S.G. Devasahayam
Parakala Prabhakar
Sunillam
Thomas Franco
Nadeem Khan
Tara Rao
Darshan Pal
Teesta Setalvad