{
  "id": 10915304,
  "title": "INDIA bloc meeting: Kharge bats for pre-SIR electoral roll for future polls; voting through ballots instead of EVMs",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/india-bloc-meeting-kharge-bats-for-pre-sir-electoral-roll-for-future-10915304",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-30T10:20:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-bloc-meeting-pre-sir-electoral-rolls-evms-ballot-voting-cec-gyanesh-kumar-one-person-one-vote/article71527620.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On September 30, 2026, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge advocated for the use of pre-SIR (Special Intensive Revision) electoral rolls for future elections and called for voting through ballots instead of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) during the INDIA bloc meeting. Kharge emphasized the need for unity within the opposition bloc and stressed that the mandate and power of government ultimately lie with the people. He proposed that the opposition parties demand pre-SIR electoral rolls and complete transparency in electoral roll revisions. Kharge urged for due notice, reasons, and an effective appeal mechanism before any legitimate voter is removed from the roll, and protection for eligible voters from exclusion due to administrative failures or lack of awareness. He also advocated for simple and accessible voter registration for young citizens and stressed the importance of institutional accountability and an Election Commission with confidence across the political spectrum. Kharge highlighted concerns about the functioning of the Election Commission, particularly EVMs and voter-list manipulation, and expressed shock at the removal of 13.3 crore voters from the electoral rolls. He emphasized that ordinary citizens should decide who comes to power, not those in power, and called for an independent and impartial Election Commission as per Article 324 of the Constitution.",
  "summary": "Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge advocates pre-SIR rolls and ballot voting as part of the INDIA bloc’s push for transparency, accountability, and broader voter inclusion ahead of future polls",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Hindustan Times",
        "title": "In 1911, why did British India shift its capital from Calcutta to Delhi. Decoding the reasons behind the move",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/in-1911-why-did-british-india-shift-its-capital-from-calcutta-to",
        "published": "2026-09-30T04:46:37.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Hindu",
        "title": "Who is attending INDIA Bloc meet today? Mamata Banerjee, other top leaders gather in Delhi over EC row",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/who-is-attending-india-bloc-meet-today-mamata-banerjee-other-top",
        "published": "2026-09-30T06:56:25.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Economic Times",
        "title": "Kharge lays out INDIA bloc’s election demands",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/kharge-lays-out-india-blocs-election-demands",
        "published": "2026-09-30T07:45:31.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}