A group of independent scientists and academics has urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the government to scrap the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, describing the process as a potential “disenfranchisement exercise.”

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In an open letter issued by researchers, the signatories have also called for the immediate restoration of all eligible voters who may have been wrongly excluded from electoral lists.

As of Friday, October 23, 2026, the statement has received support from scores of researchers and academics associated with prominent institutions across India. These include the Indian Institute of Science, IIT Delhi, the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, the Institute of Mathematical Sciences in Chennai, and the International Centre for Theoretical Sciences in Bengaluru.

The petition raises concerns about the exclusion of eligible citizens from electoral rolls and calls for corrective action to protect their voting rights. The signatories are seeking the cancellation of the ongoing revision exercise and the reinstatement of voters who were removed despite being eligible.

The researchers have clarified that they signed the statement in their individual capacities. They stressed that their opinions are personal and should not be interpreted as representing the official positions of their respective institutions.

The appeal adds to the public debate surrounding electoral roll revisions, voter eligibility and access to democratic participation. The petitioners’ central demand is that eligible citizens should not lose their right to vote because of errors in the revision process.

The Election Commission and the government have been urged to consider the demands and take steps to ensure that eligible voters remain on the electoral rolls.