Facing criticism from opposition parties regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar clarified that updating the voter list is a standard practice and is legally mandated before every election. Kumar explained that this practice addresses past issues raised by political parties about the accuracy of the voter lists. The current revision, a detailed investigation of all voter details, has been conducted since January 1, 2003. Over 1 lakh booth-level officers are working on it, with the support of all political parties. The primary goal is to ensure the exclusion of ineligible individuals. The Special Intensive Revision is conducted by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to ensure accurate electoral rolls before upcoming elections. Congress leader Sachin Pilot has questioned the ECI’s speed and transparency. Opposition parties, including the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), have expressed fears the SIR may disenfranchise certain voter groups. The ECI responded by confirming the exercise adheres to constitutional and legal provisions, with the goal of removing ineligible entries and safeguarding the rights of eligible voters.
