Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday came out in support of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, saying the exercise was necessary to ensure that voter lists contain only eligible electors.
Adityanath said names that had been included despite the individuals being ineligible should be identified and removed in accordance with the rules. He described an accurate and transparent electoral roll as an important part of the democratic process.
In a post on X, the chief minister said removing ineligible entries was important for the country’s security, unity and integrity. He also said the SIR exercise could help strengthen India’s democratic system by ensuring that electoral records are properly verified.
Adityanath specifically referred to entries involving people who have died, voters who have permanently shifted from their registered addresses and duplicate names. Such entries, he said, need to be checked and corrected as part of the revision process.
At the same time, he appealed to young citizens who have turned 18 to register themselves as voters. He urged eligible citizens to take part in the process so that the electoral rolls remain accurate and up to date.
His remarks come at a time when the SIR exercise has become the centre of a wider political debate. Opposition parties and other groups have raised concerns that eligible voters may have been left out or removed during the revision process. Protests have also been held over the issue.
The Election Commission, however, has rejected allegations of wrongdoing and maintained that the revision is being carried out under established procedures. It has also directed officials in states and Union Territories where SIR has been completed to identify eligible voters who may have been left out and help them apply for inclusion in the electoral rolls.
The ongoing debate has put the focus on two key concerns — removing duplicate, deceased or otherwise ineligible entries while making sure that no eligible citizen loses the opportunity to be registered as a voter.
