CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Delhi: NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor has joined the party’s criticism of the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, raising concerns about alleged voter deletions and the protection of citizens’ democratic rights. His remarks come amid opposition protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Tharoor has argued that the SIR process must not deprive eligible citizens of their constitutional right to vote. He has questioned the manner in which the revision exercise was conducted and called for corrective measures to address alleged discrepancies in voter lists. The Congress maintains that the process has led to the deletion of names belonging to eligible voters.
The issue has become a major point of confrontation between the Congress-led opposition and the Election Commission. Opposition parties have organised demonstrations in Delhi and other locations, demanding greater transparency in the revision process and accountability from the poll panel’s leadership.
Tharoor has also criticised the heavy police deployment and restrictions imposed during recent protests in the national capital. He said peaceful demonstrations and questions about electoral fairness should be addressed through democratic dialogue rather than excessive restrictions.
The Congress is continuing its campaign on the issue, with a “Vote Bachao” rally scheduled at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi on November 1, 2026. The party plans to use the rally to highlight its concerns regarding electoral rolls and voting rights.
The Election Commission’s revision exercise is intended to update electoral rolls and identify duplicate or ineligible entries. The central dispute concerns whether eligible voters have been wrongly excluded and what safeguards are needed to ensure that all qualified citizens can participate in elections.
The controversy is expected to remain a key issue in the political debate over electoral transparency and accountability.
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