Pawan Khera Claims Over 13 Crore Voters Disenfranchised Through SIR, Targets Gyanesh Kumar

Pawan Khera Alleges Large-Scale Voter Disenfranchisement

Congress leader Pawan Khera on September 25 alleged that more than 13 crore voters had been disenfranchised across the country through the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

Addressing a press conference amid the continuing political dispute over the Election Commission, Khera argued that the Constitution guarantees equal value to every vote. He accused the Centre of following what he described as an “anti-Constitution” approach and alleged that voters were being placed into different categories.

The figure of more than 13 crore refers to names reportedly struck off draft electoral rolls during the SIR exercise across 30 states and Union Territories, according to a report by The Indian Express.

Khera Refers to ‘Secret Mission’ Involving Gyanesh Kumar

Khera also referred to an alleged “secret mission” involving Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. He claimed that the issue had become public following reports about internal objections raised by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.

Khera said the two Election Commissioners had raised concerns during the SIR process and suggested that the reported objections had exposed questions about the functioning of the poll panel. These are political allegations and have not been established as findings of a court or other independent authority.

Reported Objections by Two Election Commissioners

A September 23 investigation by The Indian Express reported that Election Commissioners Sandhu and Joshi had formally recorded objections on at least 14 occasions over a 10-month period concerning decisions and orders related to electoral rolls.

The reported objections covered issues including voter registration, deletion and restoration of names, changes involving Form 6 and the management of electoral-roll data. The report also raised questions about access to and centralisation of voter databases.

What Is the SIR Exercise?

The Special Intensive Revision is an electoral-roll revision exercise undertaken by the Election Commission to verify voter records and update electoral rolls.

The current exercise began in Bihar in June 2025 and was subsequently extended to other states and Union Territories. The scale of the revision has generated political and legal scrutiny because of the number of names removed from draft rolls and the procedures voters may need to follow to establish their eligibility.

A removal from a draft electoral roll does not by itself establish that an eligible citizen has been permanently disenfranchised; electoral-roll revision procedures provide mechanisms for claims, objections and corrections.

Election Commission Rejects Institutional Dissent Claim

The Election Commission has maintained that differences of opinion or observations during internal deliberations are normal for a multi-member constitutional body.

The ECI has said that the final decisions relating to SIR were approved unanimously by all three Election Commissioners. It has also defended its electoral-roll management systems, stating that statutory powers relating to voter registration and deletion continue to be exercised by Electoral Registration Officers and District Election Officers.

The Commission's position therefore differs from the interpretation advanced by Congress leaders, who have cited the reported objections as evidence of deeper institutional disagreements.

Political Opposition Intensifies

The controversy has led to increasing demands from Congress and other Opposition leaders for accountability from the Election Commission.

Congress leaders have demanded action against CEC Gyanesh Kumar and have questioned the manner in which electoral-roll revisions are being conducted. Protests were also organised in several states on September 25 over the issue.

Meanwhile, a petition filed in the Supreme Court has sought an inquiry into the alleged deletion of around 13 crore voters and challenged decisions allegedly taken without the concurrence of the other Election Commissioners. The Election Commission has maintained that SIR-related decisions were unanimous.

Legal and Constitutional Questions

The controversy has now moved beyond political statements, with legal proceedings also emerging around the functioning of the Election Commission and the SIR process.

A Supreme Court petition has sought, among other reliefs, an investigation into the alleged deletion of voters and examination of whether decisions were taken in accordance with the statutory framework governing the Election Commission. These remain allegations and matters for judicial consideration.

Key Takeaways

• Pawan Khera alleged that more than 13 crore voters were disenfranchised through SIR.

• He linked the controversy to reported objections by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.

• A report said the two commissioners had raised objections at least 14 times over 10 months.

• The Election Commission has said internal observations are normal and that SIR decisions were unanimously approved.

• Congress has intensified its demands for accountability from CEC Gyanesh Kumar.

• A Supreme Court petition has also sought an inquiry into the alleged deletion of around 13 crore voters.

• The allegations and the ECI's response remain part of an ongoing political and legal dispute.