India’s Election Commission launches a “credibility offensive” after a dispute over the SIR (Special/Strengthening of Electoral Rolls/related roll-cleaning exercise, described by the Commission as routine) triggers sustained criticism from Opposition parties. Multiple reports say the Commission frames the SIR exercise as a standard process aimed at cleaning and improving electoral rolls, while Opposition leaders argue that the exercise has implications that go beyond routine updating. The controversy is reported to have intensified into a broader political dispute, with Opposition parties continuing to question the purpose and conduct of the exercise following the initial row. The Commission’s response focuses on defending the exercise as part of election management work and seeking to address concerns raised by critics. While the outlets describe the Commission’s stance and the Opposition’s reaction, they do not present evidence of any specific wrongdoing in the summaries provided. The episode underscores an ongoing contest over election administration and electoral-roll management, as the Commission moves to counter the political backlash.