New Delhi. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and several opposition leaders have filed a petition in the Supreme Court, alleging deletion of a large number of voters' names in the SIR. The petition has also demanded the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. In the last hearing, the Supreme Court had sought a reply from the Election Commission on this petition. The Election Commission first gave an affidavit saying that all the election commissioners took other decisions including SIR unanimously. Now there is a hearing in the Supreme Court on 17th November. Earlier, the Election Commission has filed a supplementary affidavit.
In its supplementary affidavit, the Election Commission has assured the Supreme Court that no eligible voter will be left out of the final list. The Commission has said that the voters left out in SIR will get one more chance to get their names added. Those whose names will be added will be given the old Voter ID card number i.e. EPIC only. The Election Commission has said in the affidavit filed in the Supreme Court that the list of names of voters left out at every booth will be re-arranged. In which along with the name of the voter, it will also be told why the name did not appear in the draft voter list. The Election Commission has said that the enumeration forms submitted by such missed voters will be processed under the ERO rules and the old EPIC number will be given again.
The Election Commission has said in the affidavit that the voters who have filled Form-6 to add their names to the list, will not have to fill the enumeration form. Action will be taken as per the clarification issued on November 3, 2026 regarding those filling Form-6. No action will be taken on filling Form 6 even if the name is in the old voter list. However, this exemption will be on the condition that the name of the person concerned is not in the voter list of any other place and his form is correct. The commission has said that those who did not change the place of residence can submit the enumeration form explaining the reason for the delay. Voters who changed their place of residence within their own state are not required to fill Form 8. Such people will be able to apply to the officers of their respective areas with proof of new address. The Election Commission has admitted that there are problems due to digitization and large number of voters. The Commission has told the court that its IT division is now working under a senior Deputy Election Commissioner. Earlier also the Deputy Election Commissioner used to supervise the IT division.