Former Chief Election Commissioner questions legality of SIR, dem

Former Chief Election Commissioner S.Y. Quraishi has questioned the Special Intensive Revision exercise, raising objections over its necessity, legality and implementation.

Quraishi questions SIR exercise

Quraishi shared his views on the Special Intensive Revision, or SIR, in a report published at 10:22 am IST on September 24, 2026.

The report says he questioned why the exercise was needed, whether it was legally sound, and how it was being carried out.

His comments place the focus on the process behind the SIR exercise, not only on its stated administrative purpose.

Concerns over electoral rolls

Quraishi argued that India’s electoral rolls have been effectively maintained for decades.

On that basis, he raised concerns about the impact and outcomes of the SIR exercise.

The concern, as presented in the source, is that an exercise of this scale requires scrutiny when the existing rolls are described as having been maintained effectively over a long period.

Why it matters

The issue matters because electoral rolls are central to the conduct of elections, and Quraishi’s criticism comes from a former Chief Election Commissioner.

His objections therefore add institutional weight to questions over the necessity, legality and implementation of the Special Intensive Revision exercise.

Source: The Hindu