Political tensions surrounding the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process have intensified following explosive allegations from Odisha. Congress leader Sudarsan Das has openly accused the poll body and local authorities of systematically deleting minority voters from electoral rolls in the Jaleswar constituency.
Addressing the media, Das claimed to possess concrete evidence—including documents, audio recordings, and video footage—substantiating claims that local block authorities acted in connivance with BJP workers to manipulate voter databases. Highlighting specific instances, Das pointed out that dozens of voters were removed using Form 7 in booths like Jaleswar-35, with many of the affected individuals belonging to minority communities who had been registered since 2002. He questioned the legitimacy of the removal applications and demanded strict accountability.
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Furthermore, Das alleged that over two million voters were removed across Odisha during the broader revision drive. His accusations dovetail with wider national concerns regarding the ECI, following recent reports of internal disagreements and dissent notes filed by sitting election commissioners over database changes and revision procedures.
In response to growing scrutiny over platform security and decentralised management, the ECI has previously asserted that its digital systems operate under strict statutory controls managed exclusively by designated officials, maintaining that unauthorized overrides are impossible.
As opposition parties ramp up pressure over electoral roll integrity, local leaders in Odisha are continuing to push for independent inquiries into the alleged deletions in Jaleswar.
