Civil society groups demand rollback of electoral roll changes ahead of polls

Civil society groups and legal experts have intensified calls for a complete rollback of the Supplementary Integrated Registration (SIR) system, arguing that future elections must utilise voter rolls from before its implementation. The demand comes amid growing concerns about the transparency and accuracy of India's electoral register. Senior advocates and activists have contended that relying on pre-SIR lists would provide greater confidence in the electoral process and ensure democratic safeguards remain intact.

Beyond the rollback of SIR, the groups have submitted a list of additional demands to electoral authorities. These include the removal of the Chief Election Commissioner, an independent and transparent probe into decisions taken by the Election Commission of India, and a comprehensive public social audit of the electoral roll. Proponents argue that such measures are essential to restore public confidence in the electoral machinery.

The push for reforms reflects deeper anxieties about whether India's democratic processes can withstand potential institutional weaknesses. Legal professionals and civil society activists have raised questions about the foundational nature of free and fair elections to democratic governance. "If free and fair polls are under threat, then what remains of democracy?" posed senior lawyer Kapil Sibal, encapsulating the concerns of reform advocates who view electoral integrity as non-negotiable to the functioning of democratic institutions.