Supreme Court Grants Time for Response on Election Commission's Affidavit

The Supreme Court has granted petitioners a 10-day window to respond to the Election Commission's defense of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. This decision follows allegations of unauthorized changes to Form 6 during the Bihar exercise. The court's bench, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, emphasized a thorough examination of all issues. The Election Commission has firmly rejected claims of alterations to the voter registration form, asserting that all actions were legally sanctioned. The situation has sparked protests from opposition parties, demanding accountability from the Chief Election Commissioner. This unfolding legal battle highlights significant concerns regarding electoral integrity and governance.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 27, 2026, 13:49 IST

Supreme Court's Decision on Election Commission's Revision

A file image of Election Commission of India (Photo:X)

New Delhi, Oct 27: On Tuesday, the Supreme Court allowed petitioners a period of 10 days to respond to the Election Commission's affidavit, which defends the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. This decision comes amid a separate plea claiming that modifications were made to Form 6 during the Bihar exercise without the court's consent.

A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, alongside Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, instructed senior advocate Vikas Singh, representing petitioner Rakesh Kumar Singh, to submit a rejoinder to the affidavit presented by the Election Commission late on Monday.

The bench acknowledged the Election Commission's assertion that the SIR process was legally sanctioned and that all three members of the commission had unanimously approved the relevant orders. The Chief Justice emphasized that all matters would be thoroughly reviewed.

In a detailed 248-page affidavit, the Election Commission defended the SIR and dismissed claims that the statutory Form 6 for voter registration had been altered.

“It is regrettable to cast doubts on the integrity of the Election Commission,” stated the affidavit, which was filed by Deputy Election Commissioner Bhanu Prakash Yeturu on behalf of the commission.

The Election Commission further clarified that the affidavit had received unanimous approval from all three commission members.

The bench also issued notices to the Election Commission and other parties regarding a new petition from Rajya Sabha MP Dola Sen, who alleged that changes to Form 6 were made during the Bihar SIR without the Supreme Court's authorization.

Senior advocate and MP Maneka Guruswamy, representing Sen, argued that the Election Commission incorrectly claimed that the modifications to Form 6 had received the Supreme Court's approval.

These petitions were prompted by a report from The Indian Express on September 25, which indicated that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections at least 14 times over the past 10 months regarding SIR-related decisions made without their knowledge or consent.

This report has led to protests from opposition parties and a group referred to as the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), calling for the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.