CBCI Sounds Alarm Over SIR, Warns Voters Cannot be ‘Erased’ from Democracy

NEW DELHI, October 7, 2026: The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) has sounded a strong warning over alleged irregularities in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, saying no legitimate voter should be stripped of the constitutional right to vote.

Reacting to an investigative report by The Indian Express detailing alleged irregularities in the revision exercise, the CBCI called on the Election Commission of India to ensure that the process does not result in genuine citizens being pushed out of the electoral system.

The bishops’ body said the stakes extend far beyond the revision of electoral rolls, arguing that the credibility of India’s democratic process depends on ensuring that every eligible citizen can exercise the right to vote.

“Disenfranchisement must never become the ‘new normal’,” the CBCI said, warning that such a trajectory would represent a “highly dangerous trend” for democracy.

The statement places the Election Commission under renewed scrutiny, insisting that the constitutional body has a responsibility to ensure that electoral-roll revisions are conducted with maximum transparency and without discrimination.

The CBCI demanded that the SIR process be free, fair and completely transparent, with adequate safeguards to ensure that legitimate voters are not excluded.

At the heart of the bishops’ concern, the statement said, is the erosion of public confidence in electoral institutions.

“The bedrock of any thriving democracy lies in the absolute trust the public places in its electoral institutions,” the CBCI said, stressing that protecting that trust is a fundamental responsibility of the Election Commission.

It also called for the electoral process to remain free from any “taint of bias or partisanship”, underscoring the need for institutional neutrality at a time when electoral processes are facing heightened public scrutiny.

The CBCI further threw its support behind citizens peacefully protesting over the issue, saying it stood in solidarity with those pursuing legitimate demands and seeking to protect the country’s democratic fabric.

But it drew a clear line against violence, urging protesters to maintain the peaceful character of their demonstrations and refrain from any form of violence.

The intervention comes at a politically sensitive moment, placing the question of voter inclusion and the integrity of electoral rolls firmly in the national democratic debate.

The CBCI concluded its statement with an appeal for continued prayers for India, describing the present period as “difficult times”.

By Catholic Connect Reporter