SC says Delhi SIR notices seem ‘machine-generated’ and mechanically issued
The Supreme Court of India has criticized the Election Commission for issuing 'machine-generated' notices to 33 lakh Delhi voters regarding electoral roll discrepancies. The court suggested that the process lacks human oversight and recommended more accessible verification methods.
Why it matters
This case addresses the balance between administrative automation and the fundamental right to vote, highlighting concerns over bureaucratic disenfranchisement.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday (September 22, 2026) said the Election Commission of India ’s (ECI) notices during the special intensive revision (SIR) in Delhi to over 33 lakh voters due to ‘logical discrepancies’ or ‘no mapping’ with previous electoral records seems to be “machine-generated” without any application of mind.
“Some refinement is necessary. These look like mechanically issued notices. In all probability, they are machine-generated notices... Please examine if some additional filters are necessary,” Justice Joymalya Bagchi, part of a three-judge Bench with Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice V. Mohana, addressed the Election Commission (EC) counsel, senior advocate Dama Seshadri Naidu.
Justice Bagchi further asked the ECI if the people to whom these notices were sent at least know what logical discrepancies they have to prove incorrect.
ALSO WATCH Delhi SIR: Rekha Gupta, Arvind Kejriwal among 33.1 lakh voters flagged for verification
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in