Amid a political row over the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) handling of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday accused the opposition of trying to “mislead” people over the poll panel’s functioning.
It also alleged that election officials found their access to ECI software curtailed by the central IT team. The election commission has clarified that receiving a notice does not by itself mean that an elector’s name has been deleted. The notice provides an opportunity to submit documents and establish eligibility.
She also rejected allegations of unilateral changes to Form 6, which is used for inclusion of names in electoral rolls. On Monday, an Indian Express investigation said election commissioners SS Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had recorded written dissents and objections at least 14 times between November 2025 and August 2026 and had even written to the Cabinet Secretary. She also referred to the 2014 Lok Sabha elections while questioning the Opposition’s criticism of the poll panel. Earlier reporting noted: The commission has said that all those attaining the age of 18 as of October 1, 2026, can fill Form 6 for getting their names included in the rolls.
Addressing a press conference, Gupta said the opposition’s demand for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation was part of an attempt to divert public attention. “The opposition is trying to mislead the public and divert the attention of the people of the country,” she said. She said the Supreme Court had also noted that there had been no change in the form. “The ECI has placed every issue before the public,” she said. The ECI has said differing views and observations were a normal part of deliberation and that all its digital platforms operated under strict data security protocols to prevent unauthorised tampering or manipulation. Gupta said the two election commissioners had subsequently described some of the allegations as misleading. “People are watching everything that is happening,” Gupta said, adding that the ECI was functioning independently and impartially.
Earlier reporting noted: Notices have also been issued to several prominent electors, including chief minister Rekha Gupta and former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal.
She also criticised Rahul Gandhi’s remarks against the poll panel and said action should be taken against him under laws relating to sedition.
