19 October,2026 06:22 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Congress leader Varsha Gaikwad shared the details of meeting in a post on X after meeting Chockalingam. Pic/X (@VarshaEGaikwad)
A Mumbai Congress delegation met Maharashtra Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) S Chockalingam on Monday and raised concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging that the process was cumbersome and could lead to eligible voters being excluded, reported the PTI.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mumbai Congress president Varsha Gaikwad alleged irregularities in the exercise and demanded strict action against those found deliberately deleting voters' names to benefit the ruling party.
Gaikwad said the party had submitted evidence of alleged irregularities to the CEO.
She shared the details of meeting in a post on X after meeting Chockalingam.
According to her, Chockalingam assured the delegation that strict action would be taken against those found responsible for deliberate deletions.
Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad said the party had received several complaints regarding Forms 6, 7 and 8 during the SIR exercise. She also alleged that booth-level officers (BLOs) were not functioning properly in some cases, as per the PTI.
The Congress leader said that the process had raised concerns about the impartiality of the Election Commission of India (ECI) and urged the authorities to ensure that no eligible voter was deprived of the right to vote.
According to Gaikwad, the CEO also assured the Congress delegation that the Election Commission would issue a notification on the issue, the news agency reported.
The Congress delegation also sought an extension of the SIR deadline, arguing that voters should be given sufficient time to respond to objections and complete the required procedures.
Questioning the urgency of the exercise, Gaikwad asked why the process was being completed in haste when Maharashtra was not due to hold elections until 2029, according to the PTI.
The Congress delegation included former ministers Aslam Shaikh and Naseem Khan, legislators Amin Patel and Jyoti Gaikwad, and other party functionaries.
The concerns raised by the delegation relate to allegations made by the Congress. The party's claims about voter deletions and lapses in the SIR process would require verification by the relevant electoral authorities.
(with PTI inputs)
