Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, along with other prominent members of the INDIA Bloc, has formally approached the Supreme Court in a bid to secure an interim stay on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. This legal action arises from ongoing concerns regarding alleged irregularities within the electoral process. The petition outlines ten specific demands aimed at addressing these issues.

The motion, referenced on the Supreme Court’s website under Rahul Gandhi v. Election Commission of India, was filed shortly before Gandhi arrived at the court in the evening, around 4.30 pm. Owing to his delayed arrival, the petition was submitted by lawyer S Prasanna, with the aim of ensuring timely consideration.

Gandhi was joined by hundreds of supporters, including notable leaders such as Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav of the Samajwadi Party, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, and Tejashwi Yadav from the Rashtriya Janata Dal. This demonstration underscores the significance of the issue at hand for the opposition bloc.

Key Demands for Electoral Procedure Review

The petition requests various forms of relief regarding the electoral roll revision process. The first request is for the Election Commission of India (ECI) to produce comprehensive documentation associated with the SIR, including meeting minutes and records of objections. This demand aligns with the constitutional rights enshrined in Articles 14, 19, and 21.

Furthermore, the petition seeks a judicial review of the legal standing of the SIR decisions, querying their compliance with Article 324 and related regulations set forth in the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023. The petitioners argue that any decisions made without sufficient statutory authority should be nullified.

Additionally, it calls for accountability measures against officials deemed responsible for any breaches of constitutional or statutory procedures related to the creation and revision of electoral rolls. The petition also specifies the need for decisions regarding grievances related to the SIR to be recorded in a manner compliant with Section 18 of the 2023 Act.

Independent Oversight and Voter Protections Proposed

A significant portion of the demands involves independent oversight of the electoral process. The petition proposes the establishment of a committee composed of a retired Supreme Court judge along with technical experts to investigate the electoral rolls’ amendments and deletions during the SIR. This committee would also assess the legislative and procedural frameworks governing the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

Moreover, the petition seeks the publication of detailed records pertaining to voter deletions, including reasons for these removals and demographic breakdowns by gender and age. It emphasizes the necessity for a mechanism to restore eligibility for voters whose names have been wrongfully deleted.

The plea also insists that no voter have their name removed without prior notice and an opportunity to contest the decision. Additionally, it requests that eligible individuals, particularly in Punjab and other states facing elections, be allowed to apply for inclusion until the legal cut-off date.

Request for Immediate Stay and Further Judicial Relief

The petition calls for an immediate suspension of the SIR across all states until the aforementioned issues are addressed by the court. This action is deemed essential for safeguarding the rights of eligible voters and maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.

Lastly, the petition asks the Supreme Court to consider any additional orders necessary to uphold the electoral process and the voting rights of citizens. These ten demands collectively represent the relief sought by the petitioners, although they do not imply direct directions from the Supreme Court.

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