RTI replies revealed that no files, notings, or approvals exist for the Special Intensive Revision, sparking allegations of evasion and cover-up.
BY PC Bureau
New Delhi, August 29 – The Congress has launched a sharp attack on the Election Commission of India (ECI) after revelations through the Right to Information (RTI) Act appeared to show that the Commission has no record of the “independent appraisal” it claimed formed the basis of the 2025 Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
According to the Congress post on X, when asked under RTI to furnish the appraisal or study it had cited before the Supreme Court, the ECI responded that “no such information exists.” In a further admission, the Commission also said no files, notings, or approvals related to the decision to conduct the nationwide SIR were available.
“When asked to provide the independent appraisal/study it had cited before the Court, the ECI replied that no such information exists,” the Congress said, quoting the RTI response.
The party alleged this amounted to “misleading the highest court of the country” and warned that the credibility of the entire electoral roll revision process stood compromised. “If no independent appraisal exists, then on what grounds did the Commission push through such a critical exercise?” the Congress asked.
In another RTI application, when records were sought regarding the 2003 Bihar electoral roll revision order and guidelines, the ECI reportedly diverted the applicant to a 2025 order, raising further suspicion. “This is nothing short of evasion and cover-up,” the Congress charged.
RTI Exposes Election Commission: No Records of ‘Independent Appraisal’ Behind Special Intensive Revision (SIR)
The Election Commission of India (ECI), in response to RTI applications, has made startling admissions that raise grave concerns about transparency and accountability.… pic.twitter.com/xjXS2rjiEX
— Congress (@INCIndia) August 29, 2025
The opposition further said the episode points to a “systematic weakening of democratic institutions” and demanded that the Commission immediately make public all documents, notings, and studies related to the SIR decision.
READ: Opinion | With or Without PUCL, Manipur’s Ethnic Divide Is Real
Congress said these replies revealed a serious contradiction between what the Commission claimed in court and what it disclosed under RTI.
“If no independent appraisal or records exist, on what basis were such crucial decisions taken?” the party asked.
The party demanded that the ECI disclose all relevant documents, clarify why it “misled the Supreme Court,” and stop withholding past records.
“Democracy depends on trust in institutions. The Election Commission must come clean or risk eroding that trust irreparably,” the Congress said in its statement
Congress also urged the Supreme Court to take note of these contradictions and seek a clear explanation from the ECI. “The faith of the people in elections is at stake. We cannot allow an opaque Commission to undermine democracy,” the party declared.
