'ECI eliminated 15% of India's population'

Former Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi criticized the Election Commission of India (ECI) for removing an estimated 14-15% of India's population from voter rolls during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. Quraishi, speaking to ANI, questioned the stated purpose of finding illegal immigrants, as the ECI has not disclosed the number of immigrants discovered.

He urged the commission to release this figure to showcase their success, which he stated is equivalent to eliminating about 15% of India's population. Quraishi emphasized that voting is a constitutional right, not a charity from the ECI, and criticized the SIR process for "tinkering with democracy." The SIR, announced by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in October 2025, aims to ensure accurate, up-to-date electoral rolls, though it has faced opposition, particularly in poll-bound states.