More than 130 independent scientists and researchers have written to the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the central government asking them to stop the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists and to immediately restore the names of eligible voters who were wrongly removed, Chennaionline reported. The letter was shared on October 23, 2026. Jagran Josh's October 24 national headlines likewise reported that a group of independent scientists has written to the Election Commission and the Centre seeking an immediate rollback of the SIR of voters.
Source: Chennaionline — Indian Scientists Petition Against Voter Roll Purge (letter shared October 23, 2026)
The signatories include scientists and scholars associated with institutions such as the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi), and they made clear they were writing in their personal capacity, not on behalf of their institutions, Chennaionline reported. In the letter, they urged the Commission and the government to review the revision process so that no citizen loses the right to vote without a fair and proper review.
Source: Chennaionline — Indian Scientists Petition Against Voter Roll Purge (letter shared October 23, 2026)
According to the letter, more than 130 million people — yaani 13 crore — have been removed from voter lists during the revision process, a figure the signatories cited as a cause for concern; this is the letter's claim, and the removals figure has been contested in public debate over whether draft-stage omissions amount to final deletions. The letter noted that protests have taken place in different parts of the country, with some protesters demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, and that the Election Commission has ordered fresh checks in some states, including Delhi, following weeks of protests and criticism — but the scientists said more action is needed, Chennaionline reported.
Source: Chennaionline — Indian Scientists Petition Against Voter Roll Purge (letter shared October 23, 2026)
The researchers expressed particular concern for poor people, migrant workers and marginalised communities, who may find it difficult to provide documents or complete verification procedures because of their living and working conditions — a migrant worker who has moved to another state or city for employment may not be able to respond to official notices on time, they said. They also argued that the process does not provide enough protection for people whose names have been removed, who may face difficulties challenging the decision and getting their names restored.
Source: Chennaionline — Indian Scientists Petition Against Voter Roll Purge (letter shared October 23, 2026)
Comparing the issue to the legal principle of “innocent until proven guilty”, the scientists argued that people should not lose an important right without a fair process and proper justification, and called for a clear and fair system of checking voter eligibility, proper information for citizens whose names are removed, and a reasonable opportunity to explain their situation. They urged the Commission to stop the current SIR process until the concerns are properly addressed, restore wrongly deleted names immediately, and put stronger procedures in place to prevent similar problems in future, Chennaionline reported.
Source: Chennaionline — Indian Scientists Petition Against Voter Roll Purge (letter shared October 23, 2026)