The Congress Working Committee has passed a resolution demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over issues surrounding the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
The meeting of the Congress Working Committee was held in New Delhi on September 29, 2026, and was chaired by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. Senior party leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other members of the party's top decision making body, participated in the meeting.
The main focus of the meeting was the Special Intensive Revision, or SIR, of electoral rolls and the Congress party's allegations regarding the functioning of the Election Commission. The CWC adopted a resolution containing several demands related to the electoral process.
One of the principal demands was the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The Congress said the Election Commission's handling of the SIR process had raised concerns about the transparency and integrity of electoral rolls. The party also questioned aspects of the constitutional validity of the revision exercise.
The CWC also demanded the immediate suspension of the Special Intensive Revision. According to the resolution, the party believes that the ongoing revision process requires greater scrutiny and transparency. The Congress has called for further examination of the procedures used to update and revise electoral rolls.
Another major demand concerns voter names that the Congress says have been removed from electoral rolls. The CWC resolution referred to 13 crore 30 lakh names and demanded their immediate restoration. This figure is a claim made by the Congress in connection with its criticism of the SIR process. Reports have also noted that electoral roll deletions can include various categories, including deaths and migration, and that the Election Commission has defended its procedures.
The Congress has argued that voters whose names have been removed should be informed and given an opportunity to seek correction or appeal through the applicable electoral procedures. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has also called for greater disclosure of information relating to changes in electoral rolls.
The party has further demanded that political parties receive electoral rolls and relevant information in a timely and accessible format. According to reports, Kharge called for complete data concerning major changes to electoral rolls to be made available and sought independent and time bound inquiries wherever serious discrepancies are alleged.
The Congress Working Committee also expanded its political demands beyond the Election Commission. Along with seeking the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner, the resolution called for the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. Congress leaders have alleged that the SIR exercise could not have proceeded without the knowledge or approval of the central government.
These allegations are part of the Congress party's political position. They have not been established as judicial findings. The Election Commission has maintained that its decisions are based on the applicable legal framework and has defended the SIR process.
The controversy has also involved reports about differences within the Election Commission. Reports have said that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections regarding certain changes associated with Form 6 and the SIR process. The Election Commission has subsequently maintained that decisions were taken through the institutional process and has made changes to certain procedures.
The Congress Working Committee meeting took place shortly before a meeting of INDIA bloc leaders scheduled in New Delhi on September 30. The opposition alliance is expected to discuss the SIR issue and the functioning of the Election Commission. The Congress has indicated that it wants to coordinate with opposition parties on future political and parliamentary action.
The party has also announced plans for a broader political campaign. Congress leaders said nationwide activities would be organised at state, district and booth levels. The proposed campaign is intended to highlight the party's concerns about electoral rolls and the SIR process.
The Congress has repeatedly raised the issue of electoral transparency in recent months. Party leaders have alleged that changes to electoral rolls could affect eligible voters, while the Election Commission has maintained that the revision process is intended to update electoral rolls and ensure that eligible voters are properly included.
The issue has therefore become a significant point of political disagreement between the Congress and the Election Commission. The Congress is seeking suspension of the SIR and restoration of the names it says were removed, while the Election Commission has continued to defend the legality and procedures associated with electoral roll revision.
For voters, the developments are relevant because the SIR process concerns electoral registration and voter lists. Citizens who believe their names have been omitted from electoral rolls can use the official procedures provided by the Election Commission to check their registration status and seek inclusion or correction where applicable.
The Congress Working Committee's latest resolution does not itself change the electoral roll process. Its demands represent the position adopted by the Congress party following its internal meeting. Any changes to the SIR process or electoral registration rules would have to come through the competent constitutional, legal or administrative authorities.
The next stage of the political dispute is expected to involve discussions among INDIA bloc parties, parliamentary action and the nationwide political programmes announced by the Congress. The Election Commission's responses and any further legal or administrative developments will also determine how the issue progresses.
The controversy over SIR is therefore continuing, with the Congress demanding major changes to the electoral roll revision process and accountability from senior constitutional and government authorities, while the Election Commission maintains its position on the legality and implementation of the exercise.
