Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has moved the Supreme Court seeking a halt to the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging concerns over the process and demanding greater accountability in voter list management.

The petition, filed by lawyer S Prasanna on Monday, seeks 10 forms of relief, including a temporary suspension of the SIR exercise nationwide, an independent review of voter list changes and action against officials found to have violated election-related laws.

Rahul Gandhi joined INDIA bloc leaders in a march towards the Supreme Court later in the day. Those participating included Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav.

The move came a day after Chief Justice of India Surya Kant declined to meet Rahul Gandhi, indicating that the matter was already before the judiciary. Opposition parties have also demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

What Has The Petition Asked For?

The plea, listed as Rahul Gandhi v. Election Commission of India, seeks directions on the following issues:

• Disclosure of records: The Election Commission should submit documents related to the SIR, including internal communications, meeting records and relevant ECINET and ERONET data.

• Legal scrutiny: The court should examine whether decisions connected to the revision exercise comply with constitutional and statutory provisions. Decisions found to lack legal authority should be set aside.

• Accountability: Officials responsible for any established breach of election laws should face appropriate action, including where applicable under the Representation of the People Act, 1950.

• Rules for voter applications: The online Form-6 should follow the format prescribed under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960. Any changes should be made through the proper legal process.

• Independent investigation: A committee headed by a retired Supreme Court judge, with technical experts and other members, should examine voter deletions, amendments to electoral records and access to voter databases. The proposed review would also cover election technology, including electronic voting machines.

• Public access to deletion details: The Election Commission should publish polling booth-wise information on removed voters, explain the reasons for deletion and provide details broken down by age and gender.

• Protection against wrongful deletion: Voters should not lose their names without legally required notice and a fair opportunity to respond. Eligible people should also be allowed to seek inclusion within the applicable deadlines.

• Temporary halt to SIR: The petition seeks a nationwide pause on the revision exercise until the court decides the legal questions raised.

• Resolution of pending complaints: The Election Commission should address the grievances raised and ensure its decisions are properly recorded and legally compliant.

• Further judicial relief: The court should issue any additional directions necessary to protect eligible voters and electoral integrity.

The petition challenges aspects of the Election Commission’s handling of the SIR and asks the court to intervene in the interests of transparency and voting rights. These are requests made by Rahul Gandhi in the plea; they should not be read as findings or orders already issued by the Supreme Court.