The ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is an example of the “might is right” philosophy being practised by statutory bodies and institutions, former Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa said on Thursday (September 3, 2026).

Delivering the Prof. Jagdeep Singh Chhokar Memorial Lecture, organised by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), Mr. Lavasa said one of the most disturbing trends today is that statutory institutions, constitutional bodies, and governments have suddenly started behaving as if “might is right”, a concept he described as outdated.

“Institutions that have the mandate of law invested in them… think whatever they do is right. You have the example of the special intensive revision, where an unfair procedure has been imposed on millions of people in the country, and you have the judiciary which has validated that,” he said.

Disenchanting voters

The former Election Commissioner noted that while authorities argue everything being done is legal, “it is definitely not fair.”

“That is what justice is all about,” he added. “It is not just about enforcing the letter of the law; it is also about protecting its spirit. How do you explain the deletion of 13 crore names [from electoral rolls]?”

He questioned whether efforts were being made to create a situation where people become disenchanted with the democratic process. “As it is, 33% of people do not even vote, and now we have created such mass anxiety,” Mr. Lavasa said.

‘Politics driven by power dynamics’

Comparing post-independence India to the present, he noted that both the nature of politics and the profile of politicians have undergone a tremendous change. It is valid to ask whether elected representatives are actually addressing the issues that need fixing, he said.

Mr. Lavasa asserted that critical issues affecting public life — such as the Central Information Commission’s ruling that political parties fall under the Right to Information (RTI) Act — have not been taken seriously by any political party.

“How many parties opposed electoral bonds?” he asked, adding that political activity today feels largely driven by power dynamics rather than addressing the general concerns of the public.