Ranchi (New Delhi) : The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has strongly opposed the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) decision to extend the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls to twelve states, calling it a move that could disenfranchise large sections of the poor and marginalized population.
In a statement issued by the Polit Bureau, the CPI(M) said that the SIR process, as seen earlier in Bihar, had already resulted in the exclusion of numerous eligible voters from the weaker sections of society. The party expressed concern that the ECI is proceeding with this exercise even though the question of its jurisdiction in determining citizenship remains pending before the Supreme Court.
“The Constitution clearly states that while citizenship is a prerequisite for voter enrollment, its determination does not fall under the Election Commission’s purview,” the statement said.
Concerns Over Documentation
The CPI(M) accused the ECI of failing to learn from its experience in Bihar, where it was forced to concede that the eleven documents sought as proof of eligibility were not mandatory at the time of application. Even Aadhaar, which was added after the Supreme Court’s intervention, serves only as proof of residence, not citizenship.
“The insistence on documents that are not commonly held by the poor and vulnerable will disproportionately disenfranchise these groups,” the party cautioned.
Burden on Voters
The Polit Bureau reiterated its opposition to shifting the responsibility of voter enrollment onto citizens. “It is the Election Commission’s duty to ensure that every eligible citizen is registered as a voter. By making the process document-heavy and complex, the ECI is abdicating its constitutional responsibility,” the statement noted.
The CPI(M) also criticized the ECI’s lack of transparency, pointing out that the Commission refused to share the guidelines used during the 2003 revision in Bihar, even though the current process appears to deviate significantly from official claims.
Political Motive Alleged
The party asserted that while accurate and transparent electoral rolls are essential, the SIR exercise should not become a tool for determining citizenship. “The SIR cannot be used to further the BJP’s divisive Hindutva agenda,” the CPI(M) declared.
Reaffirming its commitment to protecting the voting rights of all citizens, the party urged the Election Commission to immediately halt the extension of the SIR process and focus instead on ensuring inclusivity and fairness in voter enrollment
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