UN Experts Flag Concerns Over SIR, AI Use; ECI Rejects Allegations as 'Baseless'

Three United Nations Special Rapporteurs have questioned the Election Commission of India's (ECI) ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, raising concerns over alleged large-scale deletion of voters, the reported use of opaque artificial intelligence (AI)-driven systems, and the potential exclusion of minority communities. The Election Commission has, however, rejected the allegations in their entirety, asserting that the revision exercise is transparent, legally sanctioned and designed only to ensure the accuracy of electoral rolls.

The communication, dated May 1, 2026, was sent by the UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues, the Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression, and the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief. It was addressed to the Government of India under the UN's Special Procedures mechanism, which allows governments 60 days to respond before such communications are made public.

At the heart of the communication is the allegation that the SIR process has resulted in the "large-scale removal of millions of names" from electoral rolls, particularly affecting members of minority communities. The experts sought details on the legal basis of the exercise and the safeguards in place to ensure that eligible voters are not disenfranchised.

The ECI has dismissed this claim, maintaining that the SIR is a statutory exercise undertaken under the Representation of the People Act and the Registration of Electors Rules to remove duplicate, deceased, shifted and otherwise ineligible entries while ensuring that all eligible citizens remain enrolled. It said the process follows established legal procedures and has judicial backing.

The UN experts also questioned reports that the Commission relied on AI-driven systems to identify irregularities in electoral rolls. They expressed concern that such systems allegedly operate without adequate transparency or accountability, warning that algorithmic errors or bias could lead to wrongful deletion of eligible voters while offering limited avenues for redress.

Responding to this, the Election Commission denied that the SIR is being driven by opaque AI tools. It stated that the revision is carried out through a transparent administrative process involving field-level verification by electoral officials, with opportunities for electors to verify their details and seek corrections or restoration wherever required.

Another issue flagged by the Rapporteurs relates to the grounds on which names were allegedly deleted. The communication refers to reports that voters were removed over discrepancies such as spelling errors or documentation-related issues and questioned whether affected persons were given adequate notice, sufficient time to furnish documents and meaningful opportunities to challenge such decisions.

The ECI has rejected these allegations as well, stating that the revision process provides statutory opportunities for filing claims and objections before the electoral rolls are finalised. According to the Commission, no eligible voter is removed arbitrarily, and all decisions are taken after following the prescribed procedure under election laws.

The Rapporteurs further expressed concern over reports that the exercise has had a disproportionate impact on Muslims and other minority communities, particularly in West Bengal. The communication refers to allegations that political rhetoric surrounding "illegal Bangladeshi immigrants" may have conflated genuine Indian citizens with foreign nationals, creating a risk of discriminatory exclusion from electoral rolls.

Rejecting any suggestion of bias, the Election Commission said the SIR is religion-neutral and community-neutral, with its sole objective being the preparation of accurate and error-free electoral rolls. It termed the allegations "baseless" and reiterated that the exercise neither targets nor discriminates against any section of voters.

The UN experts have asked the Government of India to explain the legal framework governing the revision, clarify the role of technology in the process, detail the safeguards against discriminatory outcomes, and specify the remedies available to affected voters. The communication also seeks information on the measures adopted to ensure compliance with India's obligations under international human rights law, including protections against discrimination and the right to participate in public affairs.