EC has no legal right to conduct SIR: Congress MP Manish Tewari

In Lok sabha, the opposition led by Congress MP Manish Tewari launching a sharp attack on the Election Commission of India (ECI), questioning both its neutrality and its legal authority to conduct the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists. Addressing the House, Tewari said, "It is unfortunate that many members here are having to raise questions on the neutrality of the Election Commission of India." He says, "Biggest election reform was carried out by Rajiv Gandhi by reducing voting age from 21 to 18."

VIDEO | Parliament Winter Session: Speaking in Lok Sabha during debate on electoral reforms, Congress leader Manish Tewari (@ManishTewari), says, "Biggest election reform was carried out by Rajiv Gandhi by reducing voting age from 21 to 18."#ParliamentWinterSession2025… pic.twitter.com/WHVlOAa6CC

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Tewari suggested that the first reform should be an amendment to the law concerning the selection of EC members. "The first reform that should happen is an amendment to the law governing the selection of members of the Election Commission. My suggestion is that the LoP Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India should be added to the committee of the Election Commission," he said. The Congress MP also criticised the ongoing Systematic Internal Reforms (SIR). process in various states. A total of 10 hours has been earmarked for the entire discussion in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.