The Election Commission of India (ECI) is facing scrutiny as its ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls flags millions of voters across West Bengal, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. The revision, aimed at removing duplicates, deceased or otherwise irregular entries, has led to allegations of selective voter deletion by political parties.
In West Bengal, over a crore names have been placed in the “logical discrepancies” category, prompting the Supreme Court to direct the ECI to publicly display these lists so affected voters can verify or correct their information. The intervention aims to ensure transparency and protect voter rights amid growing public concern.
Political parties, particularly the Trinamool Congress in Bengal and the Congress in Rajasthan, have raised objections, claiming that the revision disproportionately impacts certain groups. However, the ECI maintains that the process follows legal procedures, and no voter can be removed without notice and an opportunity to respond.
Officials emphasized that the SIR is a routine legal procedure intended to maintain accurate and up-to-date voter lists ahead of upcoming elections. While tensions remain high and political accusations continue, authorities insist that safeguards are in place to prevent unlawful disenfranchisement.
The Supreme Court’s involvement underscores the importance of judicial oversight in electoral matters, reinforcing that transparency and fairness remain paramount in India’s democratic process.
