Congress leader P. Chidambaram cited damning evidence against the Special Intensive Revision exercise in West Bengal. He said 91-93% of appeals against voter deletions were allowed. "That is the damning evidence against the S.I.R. exercise," he said. Nearly 27 lakh names were removed, sparking protests by the INDIA bloc.

As the Opposition bloc prepares to intensify its protest against the government, the Election Commission of India (ECI) and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar for the fourth consecutive day over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), senior Congress leader and former Union Minister P Chidambaram cited figures from West Bengal, hinting at possible 'flaws' in the revision process. He claimed that tribunals had allowed 91-93% of the appeals disposed of against electoral roll deletions. In a post on X, Chidambaram said nearly 27 lakh names were removed from the electoral rolls in West Bengal during the SIR exercise, of which 22,21,196 people filed appeals before tribunals. "Unfortunately, few who debate the rights and wrongs of the S.I.R. exercise make their arguments based on facts," Chidambaram said. He said a little over one lakh appeals had been disposed of by the tribunals, with the number reportedly standing at 1,26,000. "91-93% of the appeals were ALLOWED, and the names were directed to be re-included in the electoral rolls," he said. Chidambaram termed the appeal outcomes "damning evidence against the S.I.R. exercise". "That is the damning evidence against the S.I.R. exercise," he said.   Unfortunately, few who debate the rights and wrongs of the S.I.R. exercise make their arguments based on facts In West Bengal, nearly 27 lakhs were removed from the electoral rolls under S.I.R. Of these, 22,21,196 filed appeals to Tribunals A little over 1 lakh appeals were disposed of by the Tribunals. (The number is reported to be 1,26,000 appeals) 91-93% of the appeals were ALLOWED and the names were directed to be re-included in the electoral rolls That is the damning evidence against the S.I.R. exercise -- P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) October 8, 2026 INDIA bloc up its ante against ECI, CEC INDIA bloc MPs will meet at the Central Hall of the Samvidhan Sadan at 3 pm on Friday and could proceed for another protest against "vote chori", PTI reported citing sources, adding that the INDIA bloc has sought time from President Droupadi Murmu and if they do not get an appointment, "all options are on the table". The sources said that Seva Teerth, Rashtrapati Bhawan, vice-president's residence, and the residences of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah could be the likely options for venues for the protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls.