Chhattisgarh: Congress demands 3-month extension for voter list revision, questions transparency of SIR process
RAIPUR: The Congress party in Chhattisgarh on Monday raised serious concerns over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demanded a minimum three-month extension for document submission to ensure transparency and fairness in the process.
Addressing a press conference at Rajiv Bhavan, the party’s SIR Monitoring Committee convenor and former minister Mohan Markam, along with co-convenor Dhanendra Sahu and AICC secretary Devendra Yadav, urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to ensure that the revision process remains independent, transparent, and impartial.
Markam said the party expects the Commission to ensure that the SIR is viewed purely as an ECI exercise, free from the influence of any government or political party. He emphasised that much of the work depends on Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and urged that they physically visit every household to verify voter details.
The Congress leaders also suggested that BLOs obtain written confirmation from voters during field visits to prevent the process from becoming a mere desk-based, paper exercise. They demanded that the electronic voter list data be shared with all recognised political parties and that the ECI consult Booth Level Agents (BLAs) before making any amendments to the rolls.
Further, the party said the burden of proof regarding a voter’s ineligibility should rest with the Commission, not the voter, and asserted that the SIR’s objective should focus on including eligible voters rather than deleting names.
Markam questioned the ruling party’s response to queries about the revision process, stating, “If any question or issue arises regarding the SIR, it is the ECI’s responsibility to respond and provide clarification.”
Committee co-convenor Dhanendra Sahu said the current one-month deadline for voters to submit documents is inadequate. “The state is currently in the middle of the paddy harvesting season, after which farmers will visit cooperative societies to sell their produce. Extending the period is essential to ensure no eligible voter is left out,” he said.
Sahu also questioned the haste in completing the revision when the next general elections are still three years away, calling for at least a three-month extension.
AICC secretary Devendra Yadav alleged that the BJP is attempting to manipulate the voter list in coordination with the Commission, claiming similar instances have occurred in other states, including Bihar. “We will closely monitor the process in Chhattisgarh to ensure that no voter’s name is wrongly deleted,” Yadav said.
Meanwhile, officials have distributed nearly 43 lakh enumeration forms to voters in Chhattisgarh under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls as of Nov 9. This figure represents approximately 21% of the state's total registered electorate since the commencement of the SIR on Nov 4.
Addressing a press conference at Rajiv Bhavan, the party’s SIR Monitoring Committee convenor and former minister Mohan Markam, along with co-convenor Dhanendra Sahu and AICC secretary Devendra Yadav, urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to ensure that the revision process remains independent, transparent, and impartial.
Markam said the party expects the Commission to ensure that the SIR is viewed purely as an ECI exercise, free from the influence of any government or political party. He emphasised that much of the work depends on Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and urged that they physically visit every household to verify voter details.
The Congress leaders also suggested that BLOs obtain written confirmation from voters during field visits to prevent the process from becoming a mere desk-based, paper exercise. They demanded that the electronic voter list data be shared with all recognised political parties and that the ECI consult Booth Level Agents (BLAs) before making any amendments to the rolls.
Further, the party said the burden of proof regarding a voter’s ineligibility should rest with the Commission, not the voter, and asserted that the SIR’s objective should focus on including eligible voters rather than deleting names.
Markam questioned the ruling party’s response to queries about the revision process, stating, “If any question or issue arises regarding the SIR, it is the ECI’s responsibility to respond and provide clarification.”
Committee co-convenor Dhanendra Sahu said the current one-month deadline for voters to submit documents is inadequate. “The state is currently in the middle of the paddy harvesting season, after which farmers will visit cooperative societies to sell their produce. Extending the period is essential to ensure no eligible voter is left out,” he said.
Sahu also questioned the haste in completing the revision when the next general elections are still three years away, calling for at least a three-month extension.
AICC secretary Devendra Yadav alleged that the BJP is attempting to manipulate the voter list in coordination with the Commission, claiming similar instances have occurred in other states, including Bihar. “We will closely monitor the process in Chhattisgarh to ensure that no voter’s name is wrongly deleted,” Yadav said.
Meanwhile, officials have distributed nearly 43 lakh enumeration forms to voters in Chhattisgarh under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls as of Nov 9. This figure represents approximately 21% of the state's total registered electorate since the commencement of the SIR on Nov 4.
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