The Election Commission is conducting the ‘Special Intensive Revision’ (SIR) process of the voter list in different states one by one. Even at present, SIR is being conducted in some states which include important states like Punjab, Karnataka and Telangana. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is not in power here. However, BJP is not happy with the SIR issued in these states and is raising many questions.
Many questions have been raised by BJP regarding the SIR issued in Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ruled Punjab. This state is important in this regard because assembly elections are to be held here after a few months. Before the elections, there is continuous politics going on regarding SIR. BJP has accused the Bhagwant Mann government of publicizing government schemes and collecting data in the name of SIR.
What are BJP’s allegations regarding SIR in Punjab?
The state unit of the party complained to the Election Commission in this regard and said that government schemes are being promoted in the state under the guise of SIR. Not only this, non-authorized documents are being asked from voters for which there is no need. Party’s state president Kewal Singh Dhillon, in his letter sent to the commission, complained that some officers posted on election duty are collecting data related to different schemes of the Punjab government in the name of SIR. People are also being motivated to take advantage of these schemes.
Also, at many places, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) are even asking for non-authorized documents like registered rent deeds or landlord’s affidavit from tenant voters, even though these are not included in the mandatory documents. BJP demanded the Commission to stop such ongoing activities and also requested to give strict instructions to the people associated with SIR.
Karnataka: Election officials are not going door to door
Not only in Punjab but the SIR process is being conducted in Karnataka also and BJP is alleging irregularities in the process here too. There is a Congress government in Karnataka and assembly elections are to be held here in the year 2028. The state’s main opposition party BJP and its ally Janata Dal (Secular) both recently wrote letters to the State Election Commission alleging that large-scale irregularities are being committed during SIR in the state.
Opposition parties claim that the officials appointed by the Election Commission are not following the rules of door-to-door verification. Enumeration forms are being filled in door-to-door visits, community halls, mosques and even in the houses of BLOs for verification of voters.
Violation of creating WhatsApp group guidelines
The opposition also complained that many WhatsApp groups have been formed to encourage voters to visit these places. BJP termed this as a “clear violation of the Election Commission guidelines” and said that this raises questions on the fairness of the SIR process. Both BJP and JDS are demanding investigation into this matter. The letter sent to the Commission was signed by Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and Shobha Karandlaje, along with JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy.
Union Minister Prahlad Joshi expressed his displeasure and said, “The entire machinery is being misused. They are doing this SIR process in mosques and other places. This is a blatant violation of the rules. BLOs are also confused.” However, on the complaint made by the opposition, Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said that his government has not and will not interfere in the SIR.
Telangana: State government is interfering in SIR
The SIR process is also being conducted in the Congress ruled state of Telangana. Here too, BJP is not happy with the ongoing process. BJP alleges that the state government is interfering in the SIR process. Here election officials are not going door to door for SIR.
State BJP President N. Ramachander Rao says that door-to-door contact should be made mandatory for BLOs for SIR. If voters are not found at home, they should visit there at least three times. BJP also complains that instead of election officials going door-to-door to distribute forms during the SIR process in the old city of the capital Hyderabad, a large number of forms are being distributed in camps set up by AIMIM leaders.
BJP leader Mari Sashidhar Reddy alleges that the Congress government of the state is interfering in the ongoing SIR process in the state. He also alleged that illegal infiltrators have also been included in the voter list in Maheshwaram assembly constituency. He says that we are demanding correct procedure for the ongoing SIR. The party has also demanded extension of time for SIR by one month. This demand has also been made by Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS).
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