NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Monday defended its decision to conduct the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the Supreme Court, saying the exercise was undertaken in accordance with the law and the three orders on its roll-out were approved unanimously by the Commission’s three members.
The law and prescribed Form 6 for voter registration were not amended, the poll panel said in its response to pleas alleging that the Election Commission (EC) took several decisions without the approval of the two election commissioners, including “changes” in Form 6 which is used for enrolling in the voter list.
The EC said its counter-affidavit filed in the apex court is unanimously approved by CEC Gyanesh Kumar and two Election Commissioners. The poll panel said the SIR orders issued on June 24, 2025, October 27, 2025, and May 14, 2026, were approved unanimously by the Commission’s three members, the Chief Election Commissioner and two Election Commissioners.
The poll panel said that the CEC cannot be retrained from functioning as newspaper reports are not considered as evidence in the eyes of law.
Earlier on October 5, the top court said it will examine all decisions of the EC and annul those found not to be in accordance with law, as it issued notices to the Centre and the poll body.
The pleas were filed after Indian Express reported on September 25 that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi objected on record at least 14 times over the last 10 months to decisions and orders on SIR of electoral rolls that they said were issued without their knowledge or recommendation. The claim has sparked protests by opposition parties and the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), demanding removal of CEC Kumar.
In its counter-affidavit, the Commission said the SIR exercise was undertaken in the discharge of its constitutional mandate under Article 324 of the Constitution, read with the Representation of the People Act, 1950, and the applicable rules.
Rejecting the contention that Form 6 had been amended through the SIR orders, the EC said the declaration prescribed for the exercise was a separate document and not part of the statutory form for inclusion in the electoral roll.
It said the declaration was intended to facilitate the verification of applicants’ eligibility and the linking of their details with electoral rolls prepared during previous intensive revisions.
The Commission said the declaration format introduced for the subsequent phases of SIR was a modification of the earlier format, intended to make the process easier for applicants by allowing them to provide details of themselves or their relatives appearing in previous electoral rolls.
According to the affidavit, applicants whose details could be linked with earlier electoral rolls could submit the declaration along with Form 6 without additional documents. Those unable to provide such details or whose records could not be linked would be required to submit supporting documents as prescribed.
The EC also relied on the Supreme Court’s May 27, 2026, judgment in the Association for Democratic Reforms versus Election Commission of India case, which, it said, recognised the Commission’s authority to prescribe a documentation framework for the revision of electoral rolls.
The affidavit further stated that the Commission had decided to facilitate the process for electors who could not be mapped to previous electoral rolls or whose records contained discrepancies. Booth-level officers would visit their homes to collect documents, which would be uploaded for consideration by electoral registration officers.
The Commission said the exercise did not prevent eligible persons from applying for enrolment after the completion of SIR, adding that the regular process of updating electoral rolls would continue under the applicable rules. The EC urged the court to reject the petitioner’s contentions, describing them as misconceived.
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Prohibition on chemical fertilisers and organic certification drive mark major milestones in Ladakh’s transformation towards environment-friendly farming LEH: In a historic milestone for sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation, Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has declared the Union Territory of Ladakh India’s first 100% Organic Union Territory, recognising its farmers' dedication and the Administration’s sustained efforts to promote chemical-free farming. The achievement marks a significant step towards protecting Ladakh’s fragile Himalayan ecosystem, improving soil and water health, enhancing farmers’ incomes and ensuring a healthier future for generations to come. Building on its traditional farming practices and unique agro-ecological conditions, Ladakh is positioning itself as a model for sustainable high-altitude agriculture. The development also reinforces Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of promoting natural farming, environmental conservation, improving soil health and climate-resilient agriculture. Congratulating the farmers and all stakeholders, the Lieutenant Governor said, “This is a moment of immense pride for Ladakh and the entire nation. Our farmers have demonstrated that environmentally responsible agriculture can flourish even in the most challenging geographical conditions. Becoming a fully organic Union Territory is not merely a milestone; it is a commitment to protecting our fragile Himalayan ecosystem, preserving our traditional farming practices and ensuring better livelihoods for our farmers.” Notably, in a major policy intervention in July 2026, the Lieutenant Governor has ordered a complete prohibition on the procurement, distribution, sale, marketing and use of chemical and synthetic fertilisers for agricultural practices across Ladakh. The move is aimed at safeguarding organic certification, protecting soil and water resources and strengthening the long-term sustainability of the agricultural sector. The Administration has also taken steps to support farmers during the transition. In March 2026, consignments of organic fertiliser were flagged off for distribution among farmers across villages of Ladakh to ensure timely availability before the sowing season. The organic transition is expected to create new opportunities for Ladakh’s farmers by improving the value of locally grown organic produce, including apricots, sea buckthorn, buckwheat, barley and vegetables. Organic certification, better post-harvest management, value addition, branding and stronger market linkages can help farmers access consumers who increasingly seek authentic, traceable and organically produced food. The Lieutenant Governor emphasised that the achievement must translate into tangible benefits for the farming community. “Our goal is to ensure that the organic status of Ladakh brings real value to our farmers through better market access, improved price realisation and sustainable livelihoods. We must combine traditional wisdom with scientific support, strengthen organic value chains and protect our natural resources. Let Ladakh’s achievement inspire other States and Union Territories to adopt sustainable agriculture in accordance with their own geographical conditions and farming traditions,” he said.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged citizens to buy products made by local artisans and strengthen the 'Vocal for Local' initiative as the country gears up to celebrate Diwali. In his monthly radio broadcast 'Mann Ki Baat', he also highlighted the success of Indian products in international markets. Bihar's 'makhana' and Karnataka's 'arhar dal' are finding new markets across the world, while Maharashtra's tribal products are gaining recognition through packaging that reflects the richness of tribal art, Modi said. "The popularity of Khadi is growing, supporting the artisans whose skills keep our traditions alive. Let's strengthen 'Vocal for Local' by choosing products made by our local artisans," he said. Modi also spoke about the revival of traditional farming practices in Punjab, noting that an organisation named 'Kheti Virasat Mission' has started breathing new life into organic farming. He said the people in this team wanted to promote natural cotton farming in Punjab's Malwa region and named the initiative 'Nav-Trinjan'. "Under this initiative, organic cotton is grown without the use of chemicals. Cotton with natural colours is also grown here, so no separate chemicals are needed to dye the yarn and fabrics made from it," he said. During the broadcast, Modi also spoke about people in Tehri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand coming together to breathe new life into the Heval river. A few years ago, he said, the water in the Heval river had started to dwindle, and the natural water sources around it were also drying up. Modi said that in such a situation, the local administration and villagers joined hands to launch a campaign to save the Heval river. "During this effort, measures were taken to capture rainwater, work was done to channel water into the soil, and a large number of plants were planted. Today, thanks to this initiative, the Heval river has received a new lease of life, and it has also helped revive dozens of natural water sources," he said. In his radio broadcast, the prime minister also said that 'Mann Ki Baat' was a "pilgrimage" for him to closely know the efforts of the country's people and pay homage to their contributions.