Political tensions escalated on October 26, 2025, in New Delhi when the Election Commission announced the second phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The Bharatiya Janata Party swiftly countered Opposition criticism with sharp accusations of hypocrisy and confusion.
Fierce Political Battle Erupts Over Electoral Revision
The announcement sparked immediate controversy across India’s political landscape. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar revealed that the SIR 2.0 exercise would cover 51 crore voters across 12 states and Union Territories. However, the move has drawn fierce criticism from Opposition parties who claim it threatens democratic rights.
Congress leader Pawan Khera questioned the Election Commission’s credibility. He alleged that the Bihar SIR resulted in 65 lakh votes being deleted without adding new voters. Furthermore, he expressed concerns that conducting SIR by an Election Commission whose intentions remain under suspicion does not seem right.
Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav also voiced apprehension. She stated that the government’s intentions are not clear and accused authorities of attempting to hurt the democratic structure of the country.
BJP Fires Back With Hypocrisy Allegations
BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla launched a blistering counterattack. He described Opposition parties as “asantusht atmaon ka jhund” (herd of dissatisfied souls) and called their stance a “masterclass in hypocrisy.”
“It is evident from the fact that on the one hand they will say that the SIR is for stealing of votes, the SIR is against the Constitution, and it should not be done. On the other hand, the SIR is being demanded by the opposition parties in Maharashtra before the local body polls.” – Shehzad Poonawalla
Moreover, Poonawalla highlighted the contradictory positions within the Congress. He pointed out that Congress leader Tariq Anwar claimed the party is not opposed to SIR principally. Meanwhile, Kharge and other Congress leaders called SIR an attack on democracy, demonstrating complete confusion within their ranks.
Opposition Accused of Preemptive Excuses
The BJP spokesperson alleged that Congress and other Opposition parties are targeting the Election Commission. Additionally, he claimed they are using SIR as an excuse for their impending losses in upcoming polls. According to Poonawalla, Opposition parties need somebody to blame for their electoral defeats.
Poonawalla accused the Opposition of following a dangerous strategy. He described it as “divide, distort, create deficit of trust in constitutional bodies and provoke riots” in the name of SIR. Therefore, he questioned how Opposition parties could demand deletion of ineligible voters in states like Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Telangana while opposing the same process elsewhere.
SIR 2.0 Spans Across Twelve States
The Election Commission confirmed that phase two will commence on November 4, 2025. The enumeration process will continue until December 4, with draft rolls published on December 9. Consequently, the final electoral rolls will appear on February 7, 2026.
The 12 states and Union Territories covered include Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. Notably, several of these states face elections in 2026.
CEC Gyanesh Kumar emphasized that SIR will ensure no eligible elector is left out. Similarly, he stated that no ineligible elector will be included in poll rolls. He also revealed that Bihar’s first phase concluded with zero appeals filed against the process.
Opposition’s Stand Called Anti-Democracy
The BJP spokesperson termed the Opposition’s reaction to SIR an attack on democracy itself. Poonawalla alleged that Opposition parties are opposing electoral reforms to save their families rather than protect democratic values. Consequently, he characterized their concerns about voter deletion as politically motivated rather than principle-based.
BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh supported this position strongly. He stated that infiltrators, fake, and dead votes are like poison for a healthy democracy. Moreover, he questioned how foreigners could take control of the country’s elections when the right to vote belongs only to Indians.
Nevertheless, Opposition leaders across multiple states have united in their criticism. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin called SIR a vote theft scheme. Kerala’s CPI(M) termed it arbitrary and undemocratic. West Bengal’s Trinamool Congress labeled the Election Commission as extremely compromised.
States Prepare for Electoral Roll Revision
Phase two will cover approximately 51 crore voters across India. Booth Level Officers will make three house-to-house visits to verify voter details. The window for filing claims and objections runs from December 9 to January 8, 2026.
Voters registered during the 2002-2004 SIR will automatically be reinstated. However, those added after 2003 must provide documentation to prove their eligibility. This includes establishing citizenship credentials through various documents.
Political Storm Intensifies Nationwide
The controversy has created sharp divisions between ruling and Opposition parties. While BJP welcomes SIR 2.0 as a necessary cleansing exercise, Opposition parties view it as voter suppression. Therefore, the battle over electoral roll revision has become a major political flashpoint.
Congress accused the Election Commission of playing the game of vote theft. They claimed that after Bihar saw 69 lakh names deleted, crores of voters will now be disenfranchised across 12 states. Meanwhile, BJP maintains that removing duplicate, deceased, and ineligible voters strengthens democracy.
Poonawalla reiterated that Opposition confusion stems from their contradictory demands. In some states, they request voter list cleanup while opposing identical processes elsewhere. Consequently, BJP argues that Opposition parties lack consistent principles and instead operate based on political convenience.
Supreme Court Involvement Adds Complexity
The Supreme Court has already intervened in the Bihar SIR case. It asked the Election Commission to provide details about 3.66 lakh voters excluded from final electoral rolls. Opposition parties point to this judicial scrutiny as evidence of problems with the SIR process.
However, CEC Kumar maintained that no appeals were filed against Bihar’s SIR. He defended the process as transparent and inclusive. Therefore, the Election Commission proceeds with phase two despite ongoing legal challenges and political opposition.
The enumeration forms for SIR 2.0 differ from those used in Bihar. Additionally, party booth-level agents can collect and certify up to 50 forms per day. These modifications aim to address concerns raised during Bihar’s exercise while maintaining the revision’s integrity.
Future Implications for Indian Democracy
As the SIR 2.0 rollout begins, its impact on India’s electoral landscape remains uncertain. Opposition parties promise legal and democratic resistance against what they perceive as voter disenfranchisement. Conversely, BJP frames the exercise as essential for electoral integrity and national security.
The controversy highlights deeper tensions about democratic institutions in India. Opposition parties question the Election Commission’s independence and impartiality. Meanwhile, BJP accuses Opposition of undermining constitutional bodies when outcomes don’t favor them politically.
The final electoral rolls published in February 2026 will determine voter eligibility for crucial state elections. Consequently, the success or failure of SIR 2.0 will significantly influence India’s political trajectory in coming years.
