MisleadingJairam Ramesh (Indian National Congress)1 Oct 2026“Nearly 14 crore voters have already been disenfranchised by the SIR,”
nearly 14 crore voters, 47 lakh
What the evidence showsHide the evidence
What they said
nearly 14 crore voters
Jairam Ramesh said that nearly 14 crore voters have already been disenfranchised by the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
thehindu.com, 1 Oct 2026
What is actually true
47 lakh
net reduction in Bihar electoral roll after SIR, ECI PIB, 30 Sep 2025
pib.gov.in
The Election Commission's press note on Bihar's Special Intensive Revision, published on 30 September 2025, says the final roll had about 7.42 crore electors, down from 7.89 crore before the exercise — a net reduction of about 47 lakh. It also records that 21.53 lakh eligible electors were added during the process. The Supreme Court, in its 27 May 2026 judgment in Association for Democratic Reforms v Election Commission of India, examined the SIR and held that it is within the Election Commission's statutory mandate, as recorded in the PIB note of 25 July 2026.
- The Election Commission's official press note on Bihar's SIR says the final electoral roll published on 30 September 2025 contained about 7.42 crore electors, compared with 7.89 crore on 24 June 2025 — a net reduction of about 47 lakh. [10]
- The same press note says 21.53 lakh eligible electors were added to the draft list through Form 6 during the Bihar SIR. [10]
- The Supreme Court, in its judgment of 27 May 2026 in Association for Democratic Reforms v Election Commission of India, held that the SIR exercise is within the Election Commission's statutory mandate under the Representation of the People Act, 1950, and consistent with its constitutional obligation under Article 324. [12][9]
- The figure of nearly 14 crore deleted voters appears in statements by Congress leaders and media reports, not in the Election Commission's official press notes on the SIR phases. [1][6]
- The Election Commission has stated that the SIR is meant to make rolls accurate and free of ineligible or duplicate entries while ensuring no eligible elector is left out, with safeguards such as house-to-house visits, claims and objections, and appeals. [12]
[1] 'Method to Disenfranchise Indians': Congress Brands SIR a … — deccanchronicle.com[6] 'Piecemeal damage control won't mitigate mass disenfranchisement ... — newindianexpress.com[9] Association For Democratic Reforms vs Election Commission Of ... — indiankanoon.org[10] Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Electoral Rolls in Bihar ... — pib.gov.in[12] Press Release Page | Press Information Bureau — pib.gov.in
The claim treats all deletions during the SIR as disenfranchisement of eligible voters. The official record shows a different picture: in Bihar, the only state for which the sources give an official before-and-after count, the net reduction was about 47 lakh, and 21.53 lakh eligible voters were added back. The 14 crore figure is not an Election Commission number; it comes from Congress leaders' statements and media reports. The Supreme Court has also upheld the SIR process as lawful.