A delegation of 24 Opposition parties, including independent MP Kapil Sibal, has submitted a joint memorandum to Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant expressing serious concerns over the functioning of India’s electoral system and the conduct of the Election Commission of India (ECI).

The leaders stated that they were compelled to approach the judiciary as they believe democratic institutions are under strain and that recent electoral outcomes in several states do not accurately reflect the will of the people.

The memorandum specifically raised objections to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal and Bihar, alleging that it was being carried out in a manner that could lead to large-scale voter exclusions.

The Opposition also made strong allegations that elections held in Delhi, Haryana and Maharashtra were “manipulated”, and accused the ECI of partisan behaviour and weakening independence since 2014.

They further questioned the appointment process of Election Commissioners following legislative changes that removed the Chief Justice of India from the selection committee, citing concerns raised in the Anoop Baranwal judgment.

The letter also criticised the alleged selective enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct and raised concerns about Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s conduct.

It highlighted the deployment of large numbers of CAPF personnel in West Bengal during elections and claimed discrepancies in voter deletions, estimating exclusions of nearly 25 lakh voters.

The Opposition also referred to allegations regarding infiltration of Bangladeshi nationals into voter rolls, stating that no supporting data had been provided by the Election Commission.

Concluding their appeal, the leaders emphasised that when institutional mechanisms fail, citizens ultimately look to the judiciary for protection of democratic integrity.