Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal has launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission (EC), calling it a 'puppet' in the hands of the Modi government and alleging that its ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar is an 'unconstitutional' move designed to secure the continued dominance of majoritarian governments.
In an interview with national media, Sibal claimed that each successive election commissioner has shown increasing alignment with the current government. Referring to the SIR process, Sibal said, “This is a completely unconstitutional process. The Commission doesn’t have the jurisdiction to decide issues of citizenship, especially not through block-level officers.”
The Election Commission has defended the revision exercise—being undertaken after a gap of 22 years—as necessary to clean up the electoral rolls by removing ineligible or duplicate entries and adding eligible voters in accordance with the law. However, Sibal accused the government of using such processes to manipulate electoral outcomes.
“The EC has long ceased to be independent. It has acted as a puppet ever since this government came to power. In fact, each election commissioner surpasses the last in their proximity to the ruling establishment,” said the former Union Law Minister. According to Sibal, the SIR is part of a broader strategy by the BJP to ensure its political dominance. “This process is aimed at deleting the names of the poor, the marginalised, and the adivasis, thereby making it easier for the majoritarian party to maintain its grip on power. It’s deeply troubling,” he said.
He reiterated his long-standing view that the EC has failed to demonstrate the independence expected of a constitutional body. Asked about the Supreme Court’s interim order in the matter, Sibal declined to comment, stating that he is a counsel in the case. However, he expressed hope that the EC would take the court’s observations seriously and avoid further controversy. Sibal also pointed out that the issue of electoral roll revision in Bihar is more critical than many of the current political controversies. “The Monsoon Session is approaching, and this issue is perhaps more significant than most others being discussed today,” he said.
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He raised concerns about the EC’s conduct in Maharashtra as well, questioning the sudden and unexplained rise in voter registrations in constituencies where the BJP had strong showings. “The EC has yet to explain how such surges occurred only in BJP-winning seats,” he remarked. Sibal listed several issues he believes Parliament should urgently address during the Monsoon Session, including the erosion of India’s federal structure, the government’s foreign policy failures, the rising threat of terrorism, growing international isolation, and what he described as “quadrupled levels of corruption” since 2014. He criticised the government for not allowing enough time for genuine discussion on such pressing matters.
Sibal’s remarks come in the backdrop of the Supreme Court’s interim order on the Bihar electoral roll revision case. The court asked the EC to consider accepting Aadhaar cards, voter IDs, and ration cards as valid documents during the SIR process. A bench comprising Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Joymalya Bagchi observed that while the EC, as a constitutional body, must be allowed to perform its lawful functions, it must also refrain from exceeding its authority.
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The bench noted that the case involved three key questions: whether the EC has the power to undertake the SIR exercise, whether due procedures are being followed, and whether the timing—especially the short window for publishing draft rolls, raising objections, and finalising the voter list—is appropriate, given that Bihar assembly elections are scheduled for November 2025. The bench posted over ten petitions challenging the SIR exercise for hearing on July 28. It also directed the EC to file its response within a week, with the petitioners allowed to file rejoinders thereafter.
Taking the EC’s position on record, the court acknowledged that the list of 11 documents initially considered for the revision process was not exhaustive. It added that Aadhaar, voter ID, and ration cards should also be considered, stating, “We are not saying you have to. It is up to you to consider. They appear to be genuine documents. If you choose to reject them, you must provide valid reasons.” This observation came in response to objections raised by the EC’s legal team, which included senior advocates Rakesh Dwivedi, KK Venugopal, and Maninder Singh.
As the controversy continues, the legality and fairness of the voter list revision process in Bihar remain under judicial scrutiny, with potential implications for the credibility of the electoral process in India’s largest democracy.
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