NEW DELHI — Congress leaders on Thursday presented a set of five demands to the Election Commission of India (ECI) seeking full disclosure of changes made to the electoral rolls in the last two years. The demands come amid a growing row over a Statutory Information Request (SIR) that the EC issued to state election authorities to obtain details of roll amendments.
Congress calls for audit and oversight
The party’s spokesperson said the ECI has not made public the list of names added or deleted from the rolls, a move that critics say could affect the outcome of upcoming elections. The demands, released in a press statement, include a public audit of all roll changes, a review of the criteria used for inclusion and deletion, the appointment of an independent expert committee, a statutory framework for future roll revisions, and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar if the audit is not conducted within 30 days.
“The integrity of the electoral process depends on transparency,” the spokesperson said. “We expect the EC to act in accordance with the principles of openness and accountability.” The statement was shared by the party’s national office and was echoed by several senior leaders in a press conference held at the party’s headquarters.
Protests at Jantar Mantar
In a separate development, youth Congress activists marched from the party’s Delhi office to Jantar Mantar on Saturday, demanding the resignation of the CEC. The protest, which drew several hundred participants, was organized by the Indian Youth Congress (IYC). The marchers carried placards that read “Transparency First” and “Resign CEC Gyanesh Kumar.”
The protest was covered by Outlook India, which noted that the demonstrators were calling for a “full audit of the electoral rolls” and a “public disclosure of all changes.” The outlet also reported that the protest was peaceful and that the police had maintained order.
EC’s response and the SIR row
The Election Commission has not yet issued a formal response to the demands. However, a spokesperson for the EC said that the commission is “committed to ensuring the integrity of the electoral process” and that it “will comply with all statutory obligations.” The SIR, which was filed by the EC on 12 August 2026, requested state election commissions to provide a detailed account of roll changes made since the last general election.
According to a report by The Hindu, the SIR was part of a broader effort by the EC to address concerns raised by opposition parties over the lack of transparency in roll management. The report also highlighted that the EC had previously issued a directive to state bodies to maintain a digital log of all roll amendments.
Political context
Congress’s demands come at a time when the party is preparing for the 2027 general elections. The party’s leadership has repeatedly criticised the EC for what it calls “opaque practices” that could undermine voter confidence. The demands were also seen as a response to a recent Supreme Court ruling that emphasized the need for transparency in electoral processes.
In a statement released by the party’s national office, a senior leader said the demands were “in line with the constitutional mandate of free and fair elections.” The leader also noted that the party had previously called for a “statutory framework” to govern roll changes.
Next steps
The EC is expected to respond to the demands within the next 30 days. If the commission fails to comply, Congress has indicated that it will pursue legal avenues to enforce transparency. The party has also urged the Election Commission to hold a public hearing on the issue.
