Ranchi: A press conference on “SIR and the Current State of the Electoral System” was held on Saturday at Bagaicha, Namkum, as part of a two-day public programme (April 25–26) organised by the Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha and Bagaicha on the occasion of Stan Swamy’s birth anniversary.
Speakers at the event said that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has already been implemented in several states and preparations are underway to introduce it in Jharkhand as well. They alleged that the process has led to large-scale deletion of voters’ names, raising serious questions about the fairness of the electoral process.
Economist and social activist Parakala Prabhakar termed SIR a “bloodless political genocide.” He said that its constitutional validity has been challenged in the Supreme Court, but no decision has been delivered so far. Despite this, he alleged, the Election Commission is proceeding with its implementation. He claimed that nearly 65 million voters across 10 states and three Union Territories have already been disenfranchised, and the number could rise to 165 million nationwide.
The speakers further alleged that the process lacks transparency and does not adhere to the Election Commission’s own guidelines, which emphasise the role of Gram Sabhas and Ward Sabhas. They demanded that instead of relying on computer-generated algorithms, verification should be conducted at the grassroots level to ensure transparency.
It was also stated that SIR, along with delimitation and the Census, forms part of a broader process that could significantly alter the country’s political structure. The speakers expressed concern that this may lead to the emergence of two categories of citizens—those with voting rights and those deprived of them.
Among others, Afzal Anees, Aloka Kujur, Elina Horo and Praveer Peter also addressed the press conference. They warned that SIR may result in large-scale discrepancies in electoral rolls, particularly affecting minorities, Dalits, Adivasis and women.
The speakers also alleged that data-related errors and algorithm-driven processes have led to the deletion of voters’ names in several instances, depriving them of their right to vote.
Concluding the event, the Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha rejected SIR as an arbitrary and opaque process. It demanded that any inclusion or deletion of names in electoral rolls should be carried out transparently through Gram Sabhas or Ward Sabhas. The organisation also appealed to civil society groups, activists and citizens to remain vigilant and united in safeguarding democratic rights.
Post a Comment