JAMMU, Oct 31: Strongly endorsing the Election Commission of India’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, National Sikh Front Chairman S. Varinderjeet Singh has described the exercise as a democratic necessity that must rise above political confrontation, asserting that credible elections begin with accurate voter lists.
In a statement issued here today, Singh said that duplicate registrations, entries of deceased persons and voters who have permanently shifted necessitate systematic verification to safeguard electoral integrity and public confidence.
“A democracy cannot afford either the inclusion of an ineligible voter or the exclusion of a rightful one. Electoral reform must protect every genuine vote, not become a political battleground,” Singh asserted.
He maintained that SIR was a necessary corrective exercise undertaken within the Election Commission’s constitutional mandate under Article 324 and the statutory framework of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.
Referring to criticism from the Congress and other opposition parties, Singh said that legitimate concerns regarding wrongful exclusions deserved serious consideration, but the fundamental need for accurate electoral rolls should not become a casualty of partisan politics.
“Political parties may differ in their opinions, but they cannot differ on the principle that elections must rest upon accurate and credible voter lists,” he remarked.
The NSF Chairman emphasised that transparency, proper notice, adequate opportunities for claims and objections, and effective appellate remedies must remain integral to SIR. No eligible citizen, he stressed, should lose voting rights because of documentation difficulties or administrative negligence.
Turning to Jammu and Kashmir, Singh welcomed the proposed extension of SIR to the Union Territory and urged the Election Commission to consider its difficult terrain, climatic conditions and distinctive demographic challenges while finalising the exercise.
He particularly sought special arrangements for residents of remote and snowbound areas, border villages, displaced families, elderly citizens and persons with disabilities, ensuring that genuine voters were not disadvantaged during verification.
Singh suggested special voter facilitation camps, doorstep assistance wherever necessary, awareness campaigns in local languages and accessible grievance-redressal mechanisms. He also urged adequate logistical support for Booth Level Officers and strict adherence to legal procedures before deleting any electoral entry.
Appealing to political parties, social organisations and citizens to cooperate with election officials, Singh said that safeguarding electoral integrity was a collective national responsibility transcending political affiliations.
Reaffirming the National Sikh Front’s commitment to constitutional values, he maintained that SIR’s success should be measured not merely by the number of discrepancies identified, but by the fairness, accuracy and inclusiveness of the final electoral rolls.
“Democracy is strengthened neither by inflated voter lists nor by the exclusion of genuine citizens. Its true strength lies in an electoral system where every rightful vote is protected and every ineligible entry is lawfully eliminated,” Singh concluded.