Politics · India · 10 hrs ago
Rahul Gandhi and 10 opposition leaders challenge voter roll review in Supreme Court
Rahul Gandhi and 10 other opposition leaders have filed a petition in India’s Supreme Court challenging the Election Commission’s special intensive revision, or SIR, of voter lists.
The petition asks the court to declare the process unlawful and examine whether the commission used its powers for the proper purpose.
It questions whether Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar made important decisions without the agreement or knowledge of the other two election commissioners.
The petition also raises concerns about how names are removed from voter lists and the reliability of the commission’s digital database.
The Election Commission says its decisions were unanimous and that differences of opinion are a normal part of its process.
The leaders have asked the court to appoint an independent inquiry committee led by a retired Supreme Court judge.
The court’s next step is not stated.
Rahul Gandhi and 10 other opposition leaders filed a petition in India’s Supreme Court challenging the Election Commission’s special intensive revision of voter rolls.
The petition asks the court to declare the decision to conduct the review illegal and examine whether the process was legally valid.
It raises questions about the Chief Election Commissioner’s authority, removal of names from voter lists and the reliability of the Commission’s digital database.
The petitioners also seek an independent inquiry committee headed by a retired Supreme Court judge.
The Election Commission says its decisions were unanimous and that differences of opinion are normal.
- Who
- Rahul Gandhi and 10 other opposition leaders filed the petition.
- What
- They challenged the Election Commission’s decision to conduct a special intensive revision of voter rolls and asked the Supreme Court to examine its legality.
- When
- The petition was filed on Monday evening, October 12, 2026.
- Where
- India’s Supreme Court.
- Why
- The petitioners question whether the Election Commission followed legal procedures and used its powers for their intended purpose.
Petitioners
Election Commission
Decision-making
Petitioners
The petition alleges that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar made important decisions without the knowledge or consent of the other two election commissioners.
Election Commission
The Commission says decisions were unanimous and differences of opinion are normal.
Legality of the review
Petitioners
The petition asks the Supreme Court to declare the decision to conduct the review illegal and assess the process’s legal validity.
Election Commission
Not stated.
An Election Commission order cited in the petition referred to conducting the review across the country.
An RTI request sought files approving the nationwide review.
The Election Commission said in a press release that the decision had been approved unanimously.
Rahul Gandhi and 10 other opposition leaders filed the petition in the Supreme Court on Monday evening.
- Petitioners
- Rahul Gandhi and 10 other opposition leaders
- Total petitioners
- 11
- Review challenged
- Special intensive revision (SIR) of voter rolls
- Requested inquiry
- Independent committee headed by a retired Supreme Court judge
- Commissioner named in petition
- Gyanesh Kumar
What people are saying
decisions were unanimous and differences of opinion are normal process
Sources
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