The Election Commission of India is currently conducting the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists across several states in the country. This process is crucial for ensuring the accuracy of the electoral rolls before upcoming elections. However, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has raised serious concerns and allegations regarding the ongoing SIR process, particularly in states where it isn’t in power. The party has accused the ruling governments in Punjab, Karnataka, and Telangana of committing various irregularities and using the administrative machinery for political gains under the guise of voter list revision.
Allegations Against the AAP Government in Punjab
In Punjab, where the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is in power, the BJP has raised several questions about the SIR process. This state is of significant importance as assembly elections are scheduled to take place in a few months. The BJP has accused the Bhagwant Mann-led government of using the SIR process to promote government schemes and collect personal data of voters. The state unit of the BJP has filed a formal complaint with the Election Commission, stating that the revision process is being used as a tool for political campaigning.
Kewal Singh Dhillon, a prominent leader of the Punjab BJP, sent a letter to the Commission highlighting that officials on election duty are collecting data related to various Punjab government schemes instead of focusing solely on voter verification. He alleged that these officials are also encouraging people to take advantage of these schemes. On top of that, the BJP claimed that Booth Level Officers (BLOs) in many areas are demanding unauthorized documents from tenant voters, such as registered rent deeds or affidavits from landlords, which aren’t part of the mandatory document list. The party has requested the Commission to stop these activities and issue strict instructions to those involved in the SIR process.
Irregularities Reported in Karnataka
The situation is similar in Karnataka, where the Congress party is in power. Although the next assembly elections are scheduled for 2028, the BJP and its ally, Janata Dal (Secular), have alleged large-scale irregularities in the ongoing SIR process. Both parties submitted a joint letter to the State Election Commission, claiming that the appointed officials aren’t following the mandatory door-to-door verification rules. Instead of visiting residences, enumeration forms are reportedly being filled in community halls, mosques, and even at the private residences of BLOs.
The opposition also complained about the creation of various WhatsApp groups to encourage voters to visit these specific locations, which they termed a clear violation of the Election Commission’s guidelines. This has raised questions about the fairness and transparency of the SIR process. The letter to the Commission was signed by Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and Shobha Karandlaje, along with JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy. Pralhad Joshi expressed his anger, stating that the entire machinery is being misused and the process is being conducted in religious places, causing confusion among BLOs. In response, Chief Minister DK Shivakumar stated that his government has not interfered and won’t interfere in the SIR process.
Concerns Over Government Interference in Telangana
In Telangana, another Congress-ruled state, the BJP has voiced its unhappiness with the SIR process. The party has accused the state government of interfering in the revision work, while n. Ramchander Rao, the State BJP President, emphasized that it should be mandatory for BLOs to make door-to-door contact. He suggested that if a voter isn’t found at home, the official should visit at least 3 times before making any decision. The BJP also alleged that in the Old City of Hyderabad, election officials are distributing forms at camps set up by AIMIM leaders instead of going door-to-door.
BJP leader Marri Shashidhar Reddy further alleged that the Congress government is meddling in the SIR process to influence the outcomes. He specifically pointed out the Maheshwaram assembly constituency, claiming that illegal immigrants have been included in the voter list, while the BJP is demanding a proper and transparent procedure for the SIR and has requested a 1 month extension for the process. Interestingly, this demand for an extension has also been supported by the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS).
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