Speaking at a press briefing, K.T. Rama Rao said the Election Commission of India (ECI) is facing a "severe crisis of confidence" and that only the Supreme Court has the credibility to conduct an impartial inquiry, stating, "We cannot believe any other agency to investigate other than the Supreme Court of India. The Supreme Court needs to take cognizance of what former Election Commissioners are saying and launch a suo motu inquiry into the matter. Hopefully, some answers will come out and the truth will prevail."
Rao emphasized that the ECI, as a constitutional body, must remain above suspicion and that any erosion of public trust threatens the integrity of the electoral process.
He recalled leading a BRS delegation to New Delhi where they met three Election Commissioners to raise serious apprehensions about the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, a mechanism used to revise electoral rolls. Rao said the delegation submitted formal concerns during the Bihar elections, urging the commission to dispel rumors, clarify ambiguities and ensure full transparency in the revision process.
By urging the Supreme Court to act suo motu, Rao is seeking a judicial review without a formal petition, a step he believes is necessary to restore confidence in the ECI ahead of upcoming elections.
The call adds to growing scrutiny of the ECI’s operational procedures. If the Supreme Court were to intervene, it could order a detailed examination of the SIR process, potentially leading to reforms that would affect how electoral rolls are