Ex-BJP minister R.K. Singh accuses CEC Gyanesh Kumar of illegal SIR, calls for Opposition unity

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Sep 29, 2026: Former Union minister and former BJP leader R.K. Singh has accused Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and the Election Commission of India (ECI) of violating legal provisions through the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

In an open letter, Singh described the nationwide SIR exercise as “illegal” and cited Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, which provides for intensive revision of electoral rolls in specified circumstances.

Singh also questioned the addition of an appendix to Form 6, used for registering new voters. He alleged that the change was made without authorisation and against the views of the other two Election Commissioners.

He further raised questions over objections filed through Form 7 against the inclusion of voters’ names and referred to appeals concerning around 16 lakh voters in West Bengal. Singh questioned who authorised such appeals and alleged that the process had affected the inclusion of eligible voters.

The former minister also called on Opposition parties to unite and boycott elections until the CEC and Election Commissioners resign and a previous system for selecting their successors is restored, involving the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition and a sitting Supreme Court judge.

Rejecting demands for impeachment of the CEC, Singh described the move as ineffective due to the Opposition’s numbers in Parliament and instead called for criminal cases to be filed against Gyanesh Kumar.

Singh also argued that elections held while appeals involving voters were pending should be set aside and fresh elections conducted using paper ballots instead of electronic voting machines.

He criticised the Supreme Court’s handling of the SIR issue and said its judgment on the matter had damaged the reputation of the apex court.

Singh served as a minister in the Narendra Modi government from 2017 to 2024. He resigned from the BJP in November 2025 after being suspended by the party over alleged anti-party activities.