INDIA bloc demands electoral reforms amid allegations of voter roll manipulation

Hindustan Times - India · 1 Oct 2026 · 2 min read
Prelims · Polity Mains · GS2 Governance High relevance

The INDIA opposition bloc has demanded a return to paper ballots and criticized the Election Commission over alleged voter roll manipulations during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), marking a significant challenge to electoral governance.

Key points

INDIA bloc unanimously agreed to demand replacement of EVMs with paper ballots, citing concerns over electoral integrity and transparency in the voting process.

Opposition accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the government of manipulating voter rolls during SIR, comparing it to the 2016 demonetization ('notebandi').

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge alleged that 33% of Delhi's 14.5 million voters were excluded from draft rolls, causing public discontent and anxiety.

The bloc announced a five-point programme including nationwide 'Save Democracy' marches from October 2-8 and a march to the Election Commission on October 6.

Opposition leaders plan to meet the President of India to submit a representation against alleged electoral malpractices and the 'govt with a stolen mandate'.

[GS2-Polity] The controversy touches upon Article 324 of the Constitution which vests superintendence of elections in the Election Commission, raising questions about its impartiality.

[GS3-Governance] The use of ERONET software for voter roll management has been questioned, highlighting technological challenges in electoral governance.

The Election Commission defended its SIR process as unanimous and majority-based, while making procedural modifications to address voter inconvenience.

Way Forward: India should establish an all-party parliamentary committee to review electoral processes, implement blockchain-based voter verification systems, and amend the Chief Election Commissioner Act to ensure greater accountability in voter roll revisions.

Key terms

Special Intensive Revision (SIR)

A periodic exercise by the Election Commission of India to update electoral rolls by adding new voters and removing ineligible ones. Its constitutional significance lies in ensuring free and fair elections under Article 324, but recent controversies highlight governance challenges in maintaining voter list accuracy.

Article 324

The constitutional provision that vests the superintendence, direction and control of elections in the Election Commission of India. It forms the bedrock of India's electoral governance but current controversies test its interpretation regarding EC's autonomy and decision-making processes.

Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023

Legislation that governs the appointment and removal of election commissioners. It has become contentious due to provisions granting legal immunity to commissioners, raising questions about accountability in electoral governance.

ERONET

The Election Commission's software system for processing voter enumeration forms and matching current electors with base rolls. Its functioning has become a focal point in debates about technological transparency in electoral governance and potential vulnerabilities in the voter registration process.