According to reports cited by news agency PTI, the Election Commission of India (ECI) will meet next week to review readiness for a statewide Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voters’ list. According to sources who spoke to PTI, the ECI called a meeting of its state chief electoral officers on Wednesday, September 10, to discuss the readiness for a pan-India SIR.
Ahead of the assembly elections in several important states, including West Bengal, Kerala, Assam, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry, the meeting is significant. See also: Kerala Congress acknowledges “mistake” as “bidi-Bihar” backfires: “Lack of caution” Following Gyanesh Kumar’s appointment as chief election commissioner in February, this is the third CEO meeting.
The election commission previously stated in a news conference that the special roll modification would be implemented nationwide following Bihar. By verifying their place of birth, the intense revision’s main goal is to clear out foreign unlawful migrants. The action takes on importance following a crackdown on illegal foreign migrants, especially those from Bangladesh and Myanmar, in several states.
Eventually, “for the discharge of its constitutional mandate to protect the integrity of the electoral rolls,” the poll authority will start a special, rigorous review process nationwide. To guarantee a voter list free of errors, poll workers will verify each home as part of the Special Intensive Revision. A new ‘declaration form’ has been added for those who want to move from out of state or become electors.
Voters will need to present any documentation proving their birthdate and/or place of birth, as well as proof that they were born in India prior to July 1, 1987. Being born in India between July 1, 1987, and December 2, 2004 is one of the choices on the declaration form. Additionally, voters will need to provide documentation pertaining to their parents’ birthdate and place of residence.
The Special Intensive Revision’s conduct in Bihar is a topic of ongoing dispute, which coincides with the idea for a pan-India SIR. According to opposition parties, a lack of documentation will prevent crores of eligible voters from exercising their right to vote. The Congress and other opposition parties accused the EC of manipulating voter data in order to support the BJP.
