BJP allies demand clarification from chief election commissioner over internal SIR disputes

In response to an investigation revealing 14 formal objections by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi to the special intensive revision (SIR) of voter rolls, leaders of three NDA parties pressed Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar for a public clarification. The objections, spanning new voter registrations, Form 6 modifications, West Bengal inclusion appeals and Goa data management, were described by Sandhu as "unauthorised and illegal."

Chirag Paswan, also Union minister, said the EC must explain its stance to prevent doubts about the electoral process. Telugu Desam Party’s Lavu Srikrishna Devarayalu highlighted the transparency of the SIR in Andhra Pradesh but called for explanations when questions arise. Rashtriya Lok Morcha chief Upendra Kushwaha noted that the episode signals issues within the EC’s functioning. The Election Commission responded that internal queries are normal administrative practice, but protests by opposition parties and students have intensified, leading to arrests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.