Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Oct 5: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday reiterated that the order for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, issued on June 24, 2025, was approved unanimously by the Commission, rejecting claims made by Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on social media.
In a clarification issued alongside Gandhi's social media post, the ECI said, "The order for SIR in Bihar issued on 24 June 2025 was issued with the unanimous approval of the Commission. This order has been upheld by the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in its judgment dated 27 May 2026."
The Commission also highlighted a section of its September 26 Press Note, which stated, "The declaration attached to Form 6 for SIR has been upheld by the Supreme Court. For non-SIR period, the Forms applicable as per Rules (the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960) will be used."
The clarification came after Gandhi alleged in a social media post that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar had "changed Form 6 illegally and unilaterally".
"It is now established beyond doubt that Gyanesh Kumar changed Form 6 illegally and unilaterally. This is just one more proof of him abusing his position to help the BJP. He and everyone else involved in this criminal assault on our democracy will be held accountable," Gandhi said.
The Press Information Bureau (PIB) also issued a Fact Check on Monday, stating that the ECI had not removed its September 26 Press Note from its website. The note had modified certain terms relating to Form 6 for the non-SIR period.
In its Fact Check and "fake news alert", the PIB shared the link to the September 26 Press Note on the ECI website, rejecting claims made on social media by Ashutosh Ranka of the Cockroach Janta Party.
The government advisory urged people, including social media users, to be cautious about rumours.
"Do not share unverified videos or claims. Check information against credible, independently verifiable sources before accepting or sharing it," the PIB, the Centre's nodal information dissemination agency under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, said.
The September 26 note issued by the ECI had extended the SIR deadlines in Delhi and Maharashtra, while also addressing allegations of differences within the Commission and revising the procedure related to the SIR notice.