Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president N. Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday, 26 September 2026, publicly endorsed the Election Commission of India's (ECI) unanimous clarification on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, calling it a reaffirmation of the integrity and credibility of India's constitutional institutions. Naidu, a senior NDA partner, made the remarks in a statement posted on social media platform X, underscoring that questions raised about the process amounted to a misrepresentation of institutional conduct.

What the ECI Clarification Said

The Election Commission's clarification, issued jointly by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners S. S. Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, stressed that the ongoing SIR exercise followed laid-down procedures and was free from external influence. Naidu noted that the three commissioners had taken decisions related to the SIR collectively and in strict adherence to institutional protocols, effectively putting to rest what he described as misconceptions about the process.

Naidu's Concern Over Democratic Credibility

The TDP chief expressed concern over what he described as attempts to undermine global confidence in India's democratic framework for short-term political gains, calling such efforts 'deeply unfortunate.' He argued that electoral outcomes reflect the people's mandate, and that true leadership lies in accepting both victories and defeats with humility. His remarks come amid questions raised in certain political quarters about the functioning of the Election Commission and the revision of electoral rolls.

The Broader Political Context

Naidu's endorsement aligns with the broader NDA position of defending the Election Commission's autonomy against what the alliance characterises as politically motivated criticism. This is not an isolated development — debates over voter roll revisions have periodically surfaced before major elections in India, with opposition parties and civil society groups raising concerns about inclusion and process transparency. The SIR exercise, according to the Commission, is a routine but intensive update mechanism to ensure electoral rolls are accurate and up to date.

Call for Collective Responsibility

Highlighting the importance of safeguarding constitutional institutions, Naidu urged leaders across party lines to share responsibility for upholding public confidence in India's democratic process. He reiterated that public trust in democratic institutions remains the cornerstone of India's polity and must not be eroded for partisan ends. His intervention, given his long tenure in Indian politics and his stature as a senior NDA partner, is seen as lending additional institutional weight to the Commission's position ahead of future electoral cycles.