New Delhi: Amidst heated debates surrounding the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls across several states, Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed the Parliament today, accusing the opposition parties of deliberately misleading citizens regarding the process. Shah asserted that the SIR is a constitutional responsibility of the Election Commission of India (ECI) and is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.
The SIR, currently underway in 12 states and Union Territories, is a comprehensive exercise aimed at updating, verifying, and correcting voter lists. The ECI initiated this drive to ensure accurate and inclusive electoral rolls ahead of major elections. The process involves house-to-house verification by Booth Level Officers (BLOs), document verification, deletion of ineligible entries, and inclusion of eligible voters who may have been omitted.
Shah emphasized the importance of allowing the ECI to carry out its duties without interference. He stated that the government is committed to upholding the principle that the right to vote is exclusive to Indian citizens, and the "detect, delete, and deport" policy will be strictly followed to deal with infiltrators. He also pointed out the challenges in border areas where fencing is difficult and stressed that identifying infiltrators is the duty of state governments and local authorities.
The Home Minister countered the opposition's allegations by highlighting that intensive revisions of voter lists have been conducted multiple times since 1952 and are a necessary process to clean up electoral rolls due to migration and rapid urbanization. He dismissed claims that the SIR is a tactic to disenfranchise voters, particularly minorities, and assured the House that the ECI is ensuring that no eligible voter is left behind.
Opposition parties have raised concerns about the SIR, alleging that the process is being rushed and could lead to the exclusion of vulnerable groups who may face difficulties in providing the required documentation. Some opposition leaders have even accused the ECI of acting under government pressure and conspiring to remove opposition voters from electoral rolls. They argue that the strict documentation requirements, including birth certificates, passports, and matriculation records, are difficult to meet for many citizens, especially in states with low literacy rates.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has been particularly vocal in his criticism, alleging that the ECI is biased towards the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He has accused the BJP of using the SIR to remove voters who are likely to support the opposition. Similar concerns have been raised by leaders in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, who fear that the SIR will be used to delete names of voters who are perceived to be against the ruling party.
The ECI has refuted these allegations, stating that the SIR is a routine exercise to ensure the accuracy of electoral rolls and prevent the inclusion of ineligible voters. The commission has also clarified that it has taken steps to ensure that no eligible voter is excluded from the rolls. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar announced the nationwide SIR process on October 27, 2025, emphasizing the aim to ensure that electoral rolls across India are accurate, up-to-date, and inclusive.
The debate over the SIR is expected to continue in Parliament. While the government defends the process as necessary for maintaining the integrity of elections, the opposition remains skeptical and has vowed to challenge the SIR through legal means and public protests. The outcome of this debate will have significant implications for the upcoming elections and the future of electoral democracy in India.
