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The BJP backed the EC’s clarification on SIR, saying decisions were taken with consent of all 3 commissioners amid a row over reported differences within poll panel.
BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad
BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad on Saturday defended the Election Commission amid the ongoing row over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, questioning the basis of opposition parties’ allegations against the poll panel.
Addressing the media, Prasad referred to the Election Commission’s latest clarification that all three commissioners were present at its meeting and that decisions concerning SIR had been taken with the consensus of the full Commission.
Prasad also referred to the Supreme Court’s May 27, 2026, ruling on the SIR exercise and questioned the Opposition’s decision to challenge the process.
He said, “Based on a media report in one newspaper, the way the opposition parties, especially Congress and particularly Rahul Gandhi, are making baseless and shameful allegations against the Election Commission is extremely unfortunate.”
He added, “Today, the Election Commission has issued a detailed press note. In the meeting that took place today, all three commissioners of the Election Commission were present together.”
Prasad further said the ECI had clarified that decisions concerning SIR were taken with the consensus of the Chief Election Commissioner and the other two Election Commissioners.
Prasad Questions Opposition’s Stand On SIR
At A Glance
BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad defended the Election Commission regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The Election Commission clarified that all three commissioners were present at its meeting and decisions on SIR were taken by consensus.
Prasad referenced a Supreme Court ruling on May 27, 2026, which deemed the SIR process appropriate.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu also defended the ECI, stating its clarification reaffirmed the credibility of constitutional institutions.
The ECI announced changes to the SIR verification process, including removing the mandatory ERO hearing for unmapped records or logical discrepancies.
Referring to the timeline of the SIR exercise, Prasad said the process was first launched in Bihar before being extended to West Bengal and other states.
He said, “The second point mentioned is that it was launched in all states on 24.06.2025. It started first in Bihar, followed by elections in West Bengal and 30 other states.”
Prasad also referred to the Supreme Court proceedings on the matter and questioned the Opposition’s approach to the legal challenge.
“The Election Commission has specifically noted that on 27 May 2026, the Supreme Court deemed the entire SIR process to be appropriate… Who went to the Supreme Court to challenge the entire SIR process? The Congress party did, CPI (M) did, and TMC filed dozens of cases.”
He further referred to the implementation of SIR in West Bengal and Kerala while questioning Rahul Gandhi over his criticism of the exercise.
“Mamata Banerjee’s government was completely wiped out there (in West Bengal). The Congress in Kerala considered this SIR to be right, saying it was because of it that they won… The first question to Rahul Gandhi is: why did you lie?”
A meeting of the Election Commission was held today, attended by the Chief Election Commissioner and the other two Election Commissioners.The report states that all decisions regarding SIR were taken with the consent of the Chief Election Commissioner and the other two Election… pic.twitter.com/QiCF6ooRQT
— BJP (@BJP4India) September 26, 2026
Andhra CM Defends ECI
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu also reacted, saying the poll panel’s latest statement reaffirmed the credibility of constitutional institutions.
In a post on X, Naidu said the clarification issued by the Election Commission, led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar along with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, addressed the concerns surrounding the functioning of the poll panel.
Naidu said SIR-related decisions were being taken collectively and in accordance with established institutional procedures.
“The unanimous clarification issued by the Election Commission, led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alongside Election Commissioners S. S. Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, reaffirms the integrity and credibility of our constitutional institutions and puts to rest all the misconceptions surrounding it.”
He added that the decisions on the revision of electoral rolls were being taken collectively.
“The decisions concerning the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls are taken collectively and in strict adherence to established institutional protocols.”
Naidu also said political disagreements should not undermine confidence in India’s electoral system.
“Attempts to undermine global confidence in India’s democratic framework or electoral processes for short-term political gains are deeply unfortunate.”
The unanimous clarification issued by the Election Commission, led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alongside Election Commissioners S. S. Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, reaffirms the integrity and credibility of our constitutional institutions and puts to rest all the…— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) September 26, 2026
He further said electoral outcomes reflected the people’s mandate and called for respect for constitutional institutions.
EC Holds Meeting Amid SIR Row
Naidu’s remarks came shortly after the Election Commission held a meeting at Nirvachan Sadan in New Delhi on Saturday, attended by Gyanesh Kumar, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.
According to the ECI, the full Commission took several decisions unanimously during the meeting. The poll panel subsequently announced changes to the SIR verification process, including removing the requirement for a mandatory ERO hearing in cases involving unmapped records or logical discrepancies.
The ECI said BLOs would instead visit the concerned electors, collect documents and upload them on ECINet. Hearings would be held only in exceptional cases, preferably online, while an authorised family member could appear on behalf of an elector.
The Commission also announced special help desks for vulnerable groups, ordered a review of the ECINet system and extended claims and objections deadlines in Delhi and Maharashtra.
The ECI has maintained that the SIR order and subsequent schedules were approved unanimously by the full Commission.
Quick Answers
Ask News18The Election Commission announced changes removing the requirement for a mandatory ERO hearing in cases with unmapped records or logical discrepancies. Instead, Booth Level Officers will visit electors to collect documents and upload them on ECINet, with hearings held only in exceptional cases preferably online.
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Anushka Vats is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for storytelling and a curiosity that extends beyond the newsroom. She covers both national and international news. For more stories, you can …Read More
September 26, 2026, 8:53 PM IST
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