New Delhi: Congress Member of Parliament Imran Masood has raised sharp questions regarding the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) recent affidavit filed in the Supreme Court. Responding to the poll panel’s assertion that all decisions concerning the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls were taken unanimously, Masood argued that a consensus does not automatically validate administrative actions if they violate existing rules.
The ECI recently submitted a counter-affidavit to the apex court, clarifying that the directives issued in June 2025, October 2025, and May 2026 regarding the SIR were passed with the unanimous consent of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the two other Election Commissioners. The affidavit was filed in response to opposition petitions alleging arbitrary and unilateral decision-making within the poll panel.
Dismissing the commission’s defence, Masood emphasised that the opposition’s primary concern was never the internal dynamics of the Election Commission, but rather the alleged systemic irregularities in the voter lists.
“The Supreme Court should summon all the relevant records. Even if all three agreed, the core issue remains Form 6. If all three made an arbitrary or incorrect decision together, it is still wrong, isn’t it? The issue is about strict adherence to the rules,” Masood told news agency ANI.
He further clarified the opposition’s stance, stating, “We are not fighting a battle to pit the Election Commissioners against each other. The real question is about Form 6 and the unwarranted deletion of people’s votes. The Election Commissioner is not the issue here; the actual issue is the theft of votes.”
The Congress leader also weighed in on the ongoing political debate surrounding voter verification methods. Backing Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav’s demand to utilise Aadhaar card biometrics at polling booths to ensure electoral transparency, Masood questioned the administration’s reluctance to implement the system.
“They will not do it. When we already have Aadhaar cards, why don’t they link them directly with the voter list? Aadhaar contains our biometrics, so why shouldn’t it become the fundamental basis for casting a secure vote?” he asked.
The controversy stems from a petition filed by several opposition leaders who approached the Supreme Court alleging that the ECI’s recent administrative actions regarding the SIR process were arbitrary. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the matter extensively in the coming days.