Gyanesh Kumar, his 'bosses', running illegal SIR: ex-BJP minister

New Delhi: Former Union minister from the BJP and retired IAS officer RK Singh has launched a scathing attack on Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR), alleging that the nationwide exercise is being conducted in violation of electoral law and has unlawfully pushed millions of eligible voters out of the rolls, according to reports.

In an open letter, Singh argued that Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, does not permit the Election Commission to routinely order an intensive revision across the entire country. He contended that the provision envisages special revision in particular constituencies or parts of constituencies, with reasons recorded, and questioned whether Kumar acted independently or on instructions from his “bosses”.

Singh also challenged the legal reasoning behind the Supreme Court’s ruling upholding the ECI’s authority to conduct the Bihar SIR. The Court had held that Section 21(3) empowers the poll panel to order a special revision in exceptional circumstances. Singh, however, argued that an exceptional statutory provision cannot be transformed into a blanket authority for a nationwide exercise, effectively making an exception to the rule.

He further alleged that the present SIR is illegal because voters are being removed without the inquiry and opportunity to respond required by law. He questioned the use of revised rolls while deletion appeals remain pending and alleged that changes to Form 6 had created additional hurdles for new voters.

Singh claimed the process was disproportionately hurting poor people, migrants and marginalised communities. He cited the reported deletion of 16 lakh voters in West Bengal and claimed that around 13 crore names had been removed nationally.

He demanded criminal action against Kumar, called for his removal and urged opposition parties to press for fresh elections where deletion appeals remain unresolved. He also sought a return to paper ballots.

The Election Commission has maintained that the nationwide SIR decision was unanimously approved by all three commissioners.