IndiaPosted at: Oct 1 2026 10:11AM


Jairam Ramesh invokes Rawat's SIR critique, flags 'Vote Chori' threat

New Delhi, Oct 1 (UNI) Congress General Secretary in-charge Communications Jairam Ramesh on Thursday cited former Chief Election Commissioner O P Rawat's criticism of the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, arguing that the controversy over electoral-roll revisions had become part of a wider struggle to safeguard public confidence in India's electoral system.
In a post on social media platform X, Ramesh referred to Rawat's recent interview with a leading national daily and quoted the former CEC as saying that the scale of voter exclusion under the SIR was unprecedented since Independence. "It is 'the first time since Independence that so many eligible voters have lost their vote'," Ramesh quoted Rawat as saying.
Ramesh further claimed that "nearly 14 crore voters have already been disenfranchised by the SIR", and cited Rawat's criticism of the Election Commission's functioning and its handling of the electoral-roll revision exercise. Rawat has separately raised concerns over the SIR process, changes to Form 6 and reported differences within the three-member poll panel.
Ramesh also referred to Rawat's comments on the role of the two Election Commissioners, Vivek Joshi and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, amid reports that they had recorded objections to several decisions relating to electoral rolls, Form 6 and the SIR process. Reports have said the two commissioners raised objections on multiple occasions over a period of 10 months.
Rawat has said that decisions of the Election Commission are required to be taken either unanimously or by majority, while calling for the three members of the poll panel to address the reported differences transparently. He has also questioned aspects of the SIR process, including the exclusion of eligible voters and changes relating to voter registration.
The Congress has been strongly critical of the SIR exercise, alleging that large-scale deletions could exclude eligible voters from electoral rolls and questioning the procedures governing verification, claims and objections. Ramesh has previously claimed that nearly 14 crore voters were deleted across the three phases of the SIR.
The Election Commission, however, has maintained that the SIR is intended to prepare accurate electoral rolls and identify ineligible, duplicate, deceased or shifted electors. It has also maintained that decisions of the full Commission are taken collectively and that differences expressed during internal deliberations do not alter the institutional decision-making process.
The controversy has intensified in recent weeks over the functioning of the Commission's digital systems, changes to the online Form 6 and the handling of electoral-roll data. The ECI has announced a review of its voter-roll software after reports raised questions about changes made during the revision process.
Ramesh said the latest criticism strengthened what he described as a growing public challenge to any attempt to undermine the electoral system. "The chorus of voices against the capture of the electoral system is getting louder. Citizens will no longer tolerate Vote Chori in any form," he said.
"The INDIA Alliance is committed to fight to protect the Constitution and our democracy," Ramesh added, placing the SIR controversy within the Opposition alliance's broader campaign over electoral transparency, voter rights and the functioning of the Election Commission.
UNI SKA ATP IM
Tags: #Jairam Ramesh invokes Rawat's SIR critique# flags 'Vote Chori' threat
More News

Terror in the cockpit: Captain’s courage saves 174 lives

01 Oct 2026 | 12:57 PM

Colonel Guru Saday Batabyal (Retd)
New Delhi, Oct 1 (UNI) The sky has always been civilisation’s most fragile frontier, a realm where human trust is not merely a virtue but the very architecture of survival. On flydubai Flight FZ 1073, that architecture cracked in the most chilling manner imaginable when the co-pilot, identified by Israeli investigators as Omani national Ahmed Al-Balushi, allegedly turned on his captain mid-air, knifing him inside the cockpit and attempting to seize control of the aircraft.

see more..

Terror in the cockpit: Captain’s courage saves 174 lives

01 Oct 2026 | 12:39 PM

Colonel Guru Saday Batabyal (Retd)
New Delhi, Oct 1 (UNI) The sky has always been civilisation’s most fragile frontier, a realm where human trust is not merely a virtue but the very architecture of survival. On flydubai Flight FZ 1073, that architecture cracked in the most chilling manner imaginable when the co-pilot, identified by Israeli investigators as Omani national Ahmed Al-Balushi, allegedly turned on his captain mid-air, knifing him inside the cockpit and attempting to seize control of the aircraft.

see more..

At UPSC centenary, Modi calls for 'Nation First, Citizen First' approach in civil services

01 Oct 2026 | 12:27 PM

New Delhi, Oct 1 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called for a renewed focus on public service and citizen-centric governance as he participated in the centenary celebrations of the union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in New Delhi, marking the culmination of year-long celebrations that began on October 1 last year.

see more..

Kharge salutes Captain Smit Machchhar, crew for courage during flydubai attack

01 Oct 2026 | 12:10 PM

New Delhi, Oct 1 (UNI) Congress president and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday saluted Indian commercial pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, the crew and others for displaying extraordinary courage and presence of mind during an attack aboard a flydubai flight, saying their actions helped save precious lives.

see more..

Jairam Ramesh invokes Rawat's SIR critique, flags 'Vote Chori' threat

01 Oct 2026 | 10:11 AM

New Delhi, Oct 1 (UNI) Congress General Secretary in-charge Communications Jairam Ramesh on Thursday cited former Chief Election Commissioner O P Rawat's criticism of the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, arguing that the controversy over electoral-roll revisions had become part of a wider struggle to safeguard public confidence in India's electoral system.

see more..