Election Commission Launches Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls in Madhya Pradesh Amidst Congress Criticism

The Election Commission has commenced the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Madhya Pradesh, deploying Block Level Officers to update voter lists. The initiative aims to ensure eligible voters are included while removing ineligible names, despite opposition from Congress regarding the timing.

The Election Commission (EC) has initiated a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Madhya Pradesh, covering 55 districts. This move has been criticised by the Opposition Congress as rushed. Deputy Chief Electoral Officer Ram Pratap Singh Jadon stated that the SIR aims to update and verify the voters' list. Block Level Officers (BLOs) have been assigned to each of the 65,014 polling stations to conduct door-to-door enumeration.

Jadon explained that BLOs started distributing enumeration forms on Tuesday, marking the first of three required visits to each household. These forms will be reviewed, and a draft voters' list is expected on December 9. The EC has announced this initiative in 12 states, including Madhya Pradesh, beginning November 4. The campaign's goal is to update the voters' list and rectify any errors.

Opposition's Concerns and BJP's Response

Congress MLA and Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar criticised the SIR process as hurried. He accused the EC of acting under BJP influence, using SIR to advance the ruling party's agenda. In contrast, State BJP President Hemant Khandelwal dismissed these claims, asserting that the EC operates transparently. He urged the Opposition to support this initiative.

Khandelwal highlighted a workshop held at the state BJP office in Bhopal concerning SIR preparations. Booth-level party workers were briefed on their roles in this exercise. He emphasised that the main aim is to ensure eligible voters are listed while removing ineligible names.

Timeline for Voter List Updates

The EC has set a timeline for updating the voter lists. Claims and objections will be accepted until January 8. All claims are expected to be resolved by January 31, with the final voters' list published on February 7. This timeline ensures thorough scrutiny and resolution of any issues raised during the process.

The month-long exercise aims to include all eligible voters while removing those who are not eligible from the rolls. The EC's initiative seeks to ensure accuracy and transparency in voter registration across Madhya Pradesh and other states involved in this revision process.

With inputs from PTI