Published Oct 09, 2026 | 4:05 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 09, 2026 | 4:05 PM
The CBCI also expressed solidarity with protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Synopsis: The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India said it was “shocked and deeply concerned” by reports of irregularities in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and urged the Election Commission to ensure that no eligible citizen was deprived of the right to vote. It also expressed solidarity with protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and urged participants to refrain from violence.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) said it was “shocked and deeply concerned” by reports of irregularities in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls across the country and demanded a free, fair and transparent SIR.
In a statement dated 7 October, the CBCI urged the Election Commission to ensure that no legitimate citizen was deprived of the right to vote.
“The CBCI firmly demands that no valid voter should lose their constitutional right to vote,” the statement said. “Disenfranchisement must never become a ‘new normal,’ as such a trajectory represents a highly dangerous trend for our democracy.”
The CBCI said public trust in electoral institutions was fundamental to democracy and placed the responsibility for protecting that trust on the Election Commission.
“The bedrock of any thriving democracy lies in the absolute trust the public places in its electoral institutions,” it said. The poll body must ensure that every eligible citizen’s voice was safeguarded and that electoral processes remained free from bias and partisanship, it added.
The CBCI also expressed solidarity with protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
“The CBCI supports and stands in solidarity with all those who are peacefully protesting for their legitimate demands and the protection of our democratic fabric,” the statement said.
“At the same time, we earnestly request all protestors to strictly refrain from any form of violence and to maintain the absolute peaceful nature of their demonstrations.”
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(Edited by Dese Gowda)
