Rahul Gandhi Lists 10 Demands Before Supreme Court, Seeks SIR Stay and Independent Audit of Voter Rolls

Rahul Gandhi Moves Supreme Court Against SIR, Seeks 10 Reliefs Including Nationwide Stay and Independent Audit

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and several INDIA bloc leaders have approached the Supreme Court challenging aspects of the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The petition seeks 10 forms of relief, including an interim halt to the revision exercise, disclosure of official records and an independent audit of voter lists and Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

The plea, listed on the Supreme Court website as Rahul Gandhi v. Election Commission of India, was reportedly filed by the Congress legal team shortly before Gandhi arrived at the court. Since he could not reach the premises before the 4.30 pm deadline, lawyer S Prasanna submitted the petition.

Gandhi joined an INDIA bloc march towards the Supreme Court alongside hundreds of supporters. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav were among the Opposition leaders who took part.

The legal challenge came a day after Chief Justice of India Surya Kant declined to meet Gandhi, citing the matter as sub judice. The Opposition has also demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, raising concerns about the conduct of the electoral-roll revision process.

What Are Rahul Gandhi’s 10 Demands in the Supreme Court?

1. Disclosure of All SIR-Related Records

The petition seeks directions requiring the ECI to produce complete records related to the SIR, including files, agreements, meeting minutes and objections. It also calls for access logs from ECINET and ERONET, along with file notings concerning the decision to initiate the exercise on June 24, 2025.

The petitioners argue that disclosure is necessary to examine compliance with constitutional protections under Articles 14, 19 and 21, as well as the Election Commission’s responsibilities under Article 324.

2. Judicial Scrutiny of SIR Decisions

The plea asks the Supreme Court to examine whether the decisions concerning the SIR comply with Article 324, Section 18 of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023, and principles established in earlier judgments, including Seshan v. Union of India (1995).

It seeks the setting aside of decisions found to have been taken without proper legal authority.

3. Action Against Officials for Alleged Violations

The petition calls for appropriate action against officials found responsible for violating constitutional or statutory provisions governing electoral-roll preparation and revision. It also seeks action under Section 32 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, wherever applicable.

4. Recorded Decisions on Complaints and Grievances

The petitioners want the Election Commission to formally decide the pending petition and related grievances. They have also sought properly documented decisions on SIR-related matters in accordance with Section 18 of the 2023 Act.

5. Compliance With Prescribed Form 6 Rules

The plea challenges changes to the online Form 6 used for voter registration, seeking compliance with the form prescribed under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.

The petition argues that changes departing from the prescribed format should not be introduced without following the legally established procedure for amending the rules.

6. Independent Audit of Electoral Rolls and EVMs

One of the key demands is the formation of an independent committee headed by a retired Supreme Court judge, with technical experts and eminent citizens as members.

The proposed panel would examine voter deletions and amendments during the SIR, investigate database access and changes made through ECINET and ERONET, and review the technical architecture, policies, procedures and protocols governing EVMs.

The petition also calls for the committee to consider international best practices to strengthen the transparency and integrity of elections.

7. Publication of Deleted Voters’ Names and Reasons

The petition seeks the publication of booth-wise lists of voters removed during the SIR, along with the reasons for each deletion. It also calls for the data to be classified by gender and age.

Additionally, the petitioners want an effective mechanism to restore the names of eligible voters who may have been wrongly excluded.

8. No Voter Deletion Without Notice and Hearing

The Opposition has asked the court to ensure that no eligible voter’s name is removed without the legally required notice and a reasonable opportunity to be heard.

The plea also seeks permission for eligible individuals in Punjab and other poll-bound states to apply for inclusion in the electoral rolls until the applicable legal cut-off date.

9. Interim Stay on SIR Across All States

The petition seeks an interim stay on the ongoing SIR exercise across states until the Supreme Court considers and decides the issues raised.

According to the petitioners, suspending the exercise in the interim is necessary to protect eligible citizens’ voting rights and safeguard the fairness of elections.

10. Any Other Relief the Court Considers Appropriate

The final demand asks the Supreme Court to issue any additional directions or orders it considers necessary in the circumstances of the case to protect the electoral process and the voting rights of eligible citizens.

What Happens Next?

The petition outlines the relief sought by Rahul Gandhi and the other petitioners in their challenge to the SIR process and related Election Commission decisions. The demands cover access to official records, accountability, voter-deletion safeguards, independent technical scrutiny and a proposed nationwide suspension of the exercise.

However, the demands remain requests made by the petitioners. They do not constitute judicial findings or binding directions unless and until the Supreme Court passes an order on the issues raised.