Azad Samaj Party National President Chandrashekhar Azad on Tuesday, 27 October demanded an immediate halt to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and called for the digital voter list to be suspended, alleging large-scale discrepancies in voter registration that he said threaten the credibility of the electoral process.

What Azad Alleged

Speaking in Prayagraj, Azad claimed that data from Mirapur in Muzaffarnagar revealed that some individuals had as many as 24 or even 40 votes registered in their names. He argued that if such manipulation existed in MLC elections, conducting credible general elections under the same framework would be impossible.

'The SIR process should be completely halted, and the digital voter list should also be put on hold. I was the first to share data from Mirapur in Muzaffarnagar showing that some individuals had 24 or even 40 votes registered in their names. If there is so much manipulation and so many discrepancies in the voter lists even in MLC elections, how will you conduct the main elections?' he said.

Questions Over Form 6 and the Election Commission

Azad also raised concerns about Form 6 — used to apply for inclusion of names in electoral rolls — and the functioning of the Election Commission of India (ECI). He specifically questioned Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging that the SIR was being used to delete votes on a large scale rather than to clean up the rolls.

'Questions are continuously being raised about Form 6 and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The SIR is not good and should be stopped. In the name of SIR, votes are being deleted on a large scale. People are watching everything because these actions are now in front of them,' he said. He further warned that those responsible would face accountability if the government changes.

Broader Opposition Context

Azad's remarks come amid escalating opposition pressure on the ECI. Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has appealed to students, farmers, labourers, women, youth, and traders to participate in the 'Chalo Dilli' march at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi on 1 November. This follows the INDIA Bloc's announced plans to hold a symbolic public impeachment event against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on 30 October. Notably, the convergence of these developments suggests a coordinated opposition strategy targeting the ECI ahead of upcoming electoral cycles.

Panchayat Assistants and Old Pension Demand

Azad also criticised the Uttar Pradesh government over its handling of demands raised by panchayat assistants, alleging that a week-long protest by them was dismissed without resolution. He urged the state government to restore the old pension scheme for employees in Uttar Pradesh, warning that pre-election promises without implementation would not satisfy workers or voters.

'The Panchayat assistants protested for a week, but you gave them whatever you wanted to offer and sent them away without fulfilling their demands... Now that elections are approaching, you will make some promises, but it is uncertain whether you will fulfil them,' he said.

With assembly elections on the horizon and opposition parties intensifying scrutiny of the ECI, the debate over the SIR's integrity is expected to sharpen further in the coming weeks.