Raj and Uddhav Thackeray Demand Scrapping of SIR and Return to Paper Ballots

Public Lokpal
October 04, 2026

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Raj and Uddhav Thackeray Demand Scrapping of SIR and Return to Paper Ballots

Mumbai: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray jointly spearheaded a high-profile "Garjana Morcha" protest march in Mumbai, delivering a scathing critique of the Election Commission of India and the incumbent administration.

The alliance of estranged cousins highlighted deep concerns over electoral transparency, centering their protest on two core demands:

Scrapping of the SIR: Raj Thackeray demanded an immediate halt and complete cancellation of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls across Maharashtra, raising alarms over massive, unexplained deletions and additions of voter names.

Return to Paper Ballots: Both leaders openly voiced skepticism regarding Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), aggressively advocating for a return to traditional paper ballots to restore public faith in the electoral process.

ECI Under Scrutiny: Uddhav Thackeray directed sharp criticism at Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accusing the poll panel of acting as an extension of the ruling party and alleging that millions of legitimate votes have vanished nationwide.

Unified Opposition Stand: Emphasizing solidarity, Raj Thackeray urged opposition parties nationwide to unite and take their fight to Delhi to challenge the legality and implementation of the SIR system.