BJP allies call on election chief to clear up SIR roll controversy

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar was urged on Friday by a group of BJP‑aligned parties to give a public clarification on the split views within the poll panel over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The demand came from the Telugu Desam Party, the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) and the Rashtriya Lok Morcha. Union Minister and LJP (RV) leader Chirag Paswan said the responsibility to clear the air rests with the CEC and that lingering doubts could damage confidence in the voting system. TDP Lok Sabha floor leader Lavu Srikrishna Devarayalu noted that the SIR in Andhra Pradesh was carried out openly, but stressed that any question raised about the Election Commission should be met with full transparency to keep public trust strong. Rashtriya Lok Morcha head and Rajya Sabha MP Upendra Kushwaha told The Indian Express that the commission’s functioning appears flawed and that an immediate statement is needed to address the concerns being raised. JD(U) spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan asked why the opposition has not lodged a formal complaint if the allegations are genuine, pointing out that the Election Commission itself sought clarification after the claims surfaced. The Indian Express reported on September 23 that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had formally objected at least 14 times in the past ten months to SIR‑related decisions made without their prior knowledge, highlighting procedural gaps. In response, the commission said the recorded notes are part of its normal deliberation process, citing a press note from Deputy Director P Pawan that described differing opinions as routine checks aimed at improving electoral procedures. No specific action on the raised objections was disclosed, prompting the allies to press for an urgent, detailed explanation to clear the confusion among voters.