Rahul Gandhi’s 10 Demands in Supreme Court: SIR Halt, Independent Audit of Electoral Rolls Among Key Requests

Rahul Gandhi’s 10 Demands Before Supreme Court: Nationwide SIR Stay, Voter Roll Audit and EVM Review

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, along with leaders of the INDIA bloc, has moved the Supreme Court seeking intervention over the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The petition seeks 10 forms of relief, ranging from an interim stay on the exercise to an independent investigation into voter deletions, database changes and the functioning of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

The case, listed on the Supreme Court website as Rahul Gandhi v. Election Commission of India, was filed by the Congress legal team before Gandhi reached the court. Lawyer S Prasanna submitted the plea after Gandhi was unable to arrive before the 4.30 pm deadline.

Gandhi subsequently joined an INDIA bloc march towards the Supreme Court, accompanied by hundreds of supporters. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav were among those who participated.

The petition followed Chief Justice of India Surya Kant’s refusal to meet Gandhi a day earlier, citing the matter as sub judice. The Opposition has also called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign over its concerns about the electoral process.

What Are the 10 Reliefs Sought by Rahul Gandhi?

1. Complete disclosure of SIR records

The petition asks the ECI to submit all documents connected with the SIR, including official files, meeting minutes, agreements and records of objections. It also seeks ECINET and ERONET access logs and file notings related to the decision to launch the exercise on June 24, 2025.

The petitioners say these records are necessary to examine compliance with constitutional safeguards and the Election Commission’s legal responsibilities.

2. Judicial review of Election Commission decisions

The plea seeks scrutiny of the legality of decisions taken during the SIR under Article 324 of the Constitution, Section 18 of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023, and relevant Supreme Court judgments, including Seshan v. Union of India (1995).

It asks the court to set aside decisions found to lack the necessary statutory authority.

3. Action against officials responsible for violations

The petition seeks appropriate action against officials found to have violated constitutional or statutory requirements governing electoral-roll preparation. It also requests action under Section 32 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, wherever applicable.

4. Formal decisions on pending grievances

The petitioners want the ECI to decide the pending petition and related complaints through properly recorded decisions, in accordance with the applicable legal provisions.

5. Restore compliance with Form 6 rules

The plea seeks to ensure that the online Form 6 used for voter registration conforms to the version prescribed under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960. It argues that changes to the prescribed format must follow the legally required amendment procedure.

6. Independent audit of voter lists and EVMs

A major demand is the appointment of an independent committee headed by a retired Supreme Court judge and comprising technical experts and eminent citizens.

The proposed panel would examine voter deletions and amendments during the SIR, investigate access to and changes within ECINET and ERONET, and review the technical design, policies, procedures and protocols governing EVMs. It would also assess international best practices for ensuring transparent and credible elections.

7. Publish details of deleted voters

The petition calls for booth-wise publication of names removed from electoral rolls during the SIR, along with the reasons for each deletion. It also seeks age- and gender-wise classification of the affected voters and an effective process for restoring eligible names.

8. Protect voters from deletion without due process

The Opposition has asked the court to ensure that no voter is removed from the electoral rolls without the legally required notice and a reasonable opportunity to be heard.

The petition also seeks provisions allowing eligible voters in Punjab and other states preparing for elections to apply for inclusion until the relevant statutory deadline.

9. Suspend the SIR exercise nationwide

The petitioners have sought an interim stay on the ongoing SIR across all states until the Supreme Court examines and decides the issues raised. They argue that interim protection is needed to safeguard eligible citizens’ voting rights and the integrity of the electoral process.

10. Grant any additional appropriate relief

The final request leaves room for the Supreme Court to issue any further directions it considers necessary to protect the rights of eligible voters and ensure the proper conduct of elections.

Petitioners’ Demands Await Judicial Consideration

The 10 demands cover transparency in the Election Commission’s decision-making, accountability for alleged irregularities, safeguards against wrongful voter deletions and independent scrutiny of electoral technology.

The petition represents the relief sought by Rahul Gandhi and the other petitioners. The demands themselves do not establish that irregularities occurred, nor do they amount to orders from the Supreme Court. Any legal determination or interim direction will depend on the court’s consideration of the case.