Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Congress Says Voters Will Not Tolerate Alleged Electoral Irregularities
The Congress says India’s voter lists were changed unfairly.
It says many eligible people may have lost their right to vote.
Jairam Ramesh called this “vote chori.”
He cited former election chief O.P. Rawat, who also criticized the voter-list review.
The opposition INDIA bloc plans marches and rallies to protest.
It also wants future elections to use paper ballots and wants action against the chief election commissioner.
The Election Commission says disagreements inside an institution can happen.
It says its decisions are legal and follow the required procedures.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said citizens will no longer tolerate “vote chori” and accused the electoral system of being captured.
Ramesh cited former Chief Election Commissioner O.P. Rawat’s criticism of the Special Intensive Revision and alleged that nearly 14 crore voters had been disenfranchised.
The Congress alleged that Form 6 changes introduced in mid-July 2026 were unconstitutional and aimed at removing Gen Z voters from electoral rolls.
The INDIA bloc announced district-level “save democracy” marches, five major rallies, and a planned October 6 march to the Election Commission.
The Election Commission of India said differing views among commissioners are normal and that its orders follow established statutory procedures and have full legal sanction.
- Who
- The Congress, the INDIA bloc, former Chief Election Commissioner O.P. Rawat, and the Election Commission of India are central to the dispute.
- What
- Congress leaders accused the Election Commission of irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision and alleged that voters were disenfranchised.
- When
- The report was dated October 1; the INDIA bloc planned an Election Commission march for October 6 and referred to Form 6 changes introduced in mid-July 2026.
- Where
- The political and institutional dispute concerns India; the report was datelined New Delhi.
- Why
- The opposition says electoral procedures and voter-list revisions threaten democratic rights, while the Election Commission says its decisions are lawful and procedurally valid.
Opposition and Congress Claims
Election Commission Response
Legality and conduct of voter-list revision
Opposition and Congress Claims
Congress and the INDIA bloc say the SIR process and related Form 6 changes were unconstitutional, improperly conducted, and caused eligible voters to lose voting rights.
Election Commission Response
The Election Commission of India says disagreements and observations among commissioners are normal and that its orders comply with established statutory procedures and have full legal sanction.
Responsibility for disputed decisions
Opposition and Congress Claims
O.P. Rawat said Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi should have forced votes to annul decisions they opposed, while Congress alleged that decisions were orchestrated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
Election Commission Response
The Election Commission has maintained that its orders are valid; the report does not provide a separate response from Narendra Modi or Amit Shah to the allegations.
Proposed electoral changes
Opposition and Congress Claims
The INDIA bloc called for future elections to be held with ballot papers and demanded action including Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
Election Commission Response
The Election Commission’s stated position in the report is that the current orders and procedures carry legal authority; it does not state support for the opposition’s proposed changes.
- Main allegation
- Congress alleged that the electoral system was being captured and that citizens were facing “vote chori”.
- Voter impact claimed
- Jairam Ramesh said nearly 14 crore voters had already been disenfranchised through the SIR.
- Former CEC criticism
- O.P. Rawat said the SIR was unprecedented since Independence in the number of eligible electors who allegedly lost voting rights.
- Opposition action
- The INDIA bloc announced joint marches in all districts, five major rallies, and an October 6 march to the Election Commission.
- Additional demands
- The opposition demanded paper-ballot elections, expedited Supreme Court hearings, and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
- Election Commission response
- The Election Commission said differing views are normal and that its orders have full legal sanction and follow statutory procedures.