Uddhav Thackeray-led party cites reported differences within the Election Commission and allegations over voter-roll revisions; poll body maintains recent decisions were unanimous.
Mumbai, Sept 2026 : The Shiv Sena (UBT) has stepped up its criticism of the Election Commission of India (ECI) over the ongoing controversy surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, accusing the poll panel of compromising institutional neutrality and raising questions over its functioning.
In an editorial published in the party mouthpiece Saamana, the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction referred to recent media reports about differences within the three-member Election Commission over decisions connected with electoral-roll revisions. The Indian Express reported that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had formally raised objections on at least 14 occasions over a 10-month period concerning decisions and orders related to electoral rolls.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) alleged that the developments had raised concerns about the independence of the constitutional body and questioned the role of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The party called for greater accountability and transparency in the functioning of the poll panel.
The Saamana editorial also cited claims that the SIR exercise had resulted in the removal or processing of more than 13 crore names from electoral rolls across several states. The figure has been used by opposition parties in their criticism of the revision exercise, while reports have noted that the SIR process involves scrutiny of electoral rolls and the removal of names found to be ineligible or otherwise requiring revision.
The controversy has triggered a wider political confrontation, with opposition parties demanding action against Kumar and questioning the manner in which electoral-roll revisions have been conducted. Congress has also announced protests in Maharashtra over the issue and alleged that the SIR process had resulted in large-scale deletions.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) editorial further referred to protests and public demonstrations over the issue, including political mobilisation in Maharashtra and other parts of the country. Opposition parties have sought greater transparency and, in some cases, called for investigations into the functioning of the Election Commission.
Another allegation mentioned in the editorial concerns former Kerala Chief Secretary Jiji Thomson. The Saamana piece referred to claims that Kumar, while serving as a senior bureaucrat, had allegedly encouraged Thomson to join the BJP and contest a Lok Sabha election. Such claims remain disputed and have not been independently established.
The political dispute has also drawn reactions from the BJP, which has rejected opposition allegations concerning the Election Commission. The poll panel itself has said that differing views among constitutional officeholders are part of institutional deliberations and has maintained that its recent decisions concerning the SIR were taken unanimously.
The ECI has also issued clarifications following reports of internal objections. The three Election Commissioners met on September 26 amid the controversy and subsequently addressed questions surrounding decisions related to electoral-roll revision and voter-registration procedures.
The issue has now moved beyond political statements, with legal challenges also being filed in connection with the SIR process and decisions attributed to the poll panel. A petition before the Supreme Court has sought an independent investigation into allegations concerning voter deletions and restoration.
The Shiv Sena (UBT), meanwhile, has continued to demand greater transparency from the Election Commission, arguing that public confidence in electoral institutions depends on their independence and accountability. The SIR controversy is likely to remain a major political issue as opposition parties intensify their campaign against the poll panel and the ECI continues to defend its procedures.
(Disclaimer :The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)
