The Latest Breaking News from SIR

Why is India’s election body chief under fire?

Opposition parties allege ‘vote theft’ and demand chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation

The Independent UK · Sep 25

Inside the ECI’s ‘black box’: IE investigation proves print journalism still has bite

Mainstream print media “abhi jinda hai” (still alive). That’s the conclusion we can draw from the September 23 investigative report helmed by Ritika Chopra of The Indian Express on dissent within the Election Commission of India (ECI) over how the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls was being conducted.…

Newslaundry · Sep 25

Congress protests against CEC Gyanesh Kumar spread across India; Gaurav Gogoi detained, tear gas fired in Manipur

Congress workers staged protests across India on Friday demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, a day after Rahul Gandhi accused the Election Commission of electoral wrongdoing. Demonstrations were held in Jammu and Kashmir, Guwahati, Dehradun, Chandigarh and Lucknow, while Delhi saw security deployment ahead of Congress and Youth Congress marches.

The Economic Times · Sep 25

Gyanesh Kumar CEC controversy: Oppn cries ‘act of treason’, arrest calls as alleged 14 internal objections within EC ignite SIR row

Opposition attacks on Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar escalated following allegations of electoral manipulation and irregularities. Congress leaders called for criminal prosecution and demanded the resignation of the CEC amid serious accusations. The Election Commission defended its internal decision-making processes amid reports of dissent from other commissioners. Various political leaders…

The Economic Times · Sep 24

Election Commissioner appointment law: The case on India's top election body before the Supreme Court, the controversy and what comes next | Explained

The Supreme Court has delivered a split verdict on petitions challenging the 2023 law governing the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners. The case traces back to the 2015 Anoop Baranwal petition and raises questions over the selection panel, Election Commission independence, and what happens next.

The Economic Times · Sep 24

'CEC implementing Method Of Disenfranchising Indians (MODI)': Congress on SIR row

Congress has criticized the Election Commission over allegations that valid voters were unjustly removed from electoral rolls. Gen Z is particularly at risk of exclusion, raising concerns about fair voting access. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar faces demands for resignation amid accusations of compromising electoral integrity. Reports indicate that two…

The Economic Times · Sep 24

Gyanesh Kumar’s journey to CEC post: From Article 370 & Ram Mandir trust to key Centre roles and CEC post; why his 19-month tenure is now under fresh scrutiny

Gyanesh Kumar SIR controversy: The tenure of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has come under increased scrutiny after an Indian Express investigation reported that fellow Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi raised objections at least 14 times over decisions linked to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.…

The Economic Times · Sep 23

SIR row brings past Election Commission differences back into focus

Differences among election commissioners have resurfaced regarding the handling of electoral matters in India. Previously, Ashok Lavasa expressed disagreement over clean chits granted to BJP leaders during elections. In another instance, Rajiv Kumar sought to defend the Election Commission's actions in court against criticisms. Current commissioners are also raising concerns…

The Economic Times · Sep 23

Gyanesh Kumar CEC controversy explained: What's the report that has rocked ECI, what Congress and BJP saying, and Election Commission’s clarification

Gyanesh Kumar CEC Row: A report on internal objections within the Election Commission has triggered a political row involving CEC Gyanesh Kumar. Here is what the investigation reported, what Congress and BJP said, and how the Election Commission has responded.

The Economic Times · Sep 23

Mamata Banerjee demands fresh Bengal elections amid EC SIR dissent row; calls for CEC's arrest

Mamata Banerjee has called for the arrest of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar regarding alleged electoral misconduct. She claims the BJP, in collusion with the Election Commission, manipulated the Bengal Assembly elections. Banerjee is also advocating for new elections across all states where the BJP won post-Special Intensive Revision of…

The Economic Times · Sep 23