By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 17: The Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organisations (CoMSO) has petitioned Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the Election Commission of India seeking a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state to ensure that only genuine citizens are eligible to vote.
In a memorandum addressed to both Union Home Minister and Chief Election Commissioner (CEO) Gyanesh Kumar, CoMSO chairman Roy Kupar Synrem highlighted that Meghalaya, being a sensitive border state sharing an international boundary with Bangladesh, has long faced concerns over illegal immigration and infiltration.
He warned that the possible inclusion of non-citizens and ineligible persons in electoral rolls poses a serious threat to democratic integrity.
Citing the Election Commission’s emphasis on “pure electoral rolls” as the foundation of democracy, CoMSO chairman stressed that any inclusion of illegal immigrants or non-citizens undermines the rule of law and the electoral process.
Synrem pointed out that in a tribal-majority state like Meghalaya, such lapses could have grave consequences for the political rights, identity, and future of indigenous communities.
He also noted growing public apprehension, particularly in border and migration-affected areas, regarding the authenticity of electoral rolls. It called for a transparent, time-bound, and comprehensive verification process to restore public confidence.
Referring to constitutional provisions and laws governing voter registration, including the Representation of the People Act, 1950, the CoMSO chairman asserted that only eligible Indian citizens should be enrolled as voters. It cautioned that failure to cleanse electoral rolls of ineligible entries could prejudice lawful electors and compromise the credibility of elections.
Synrem has urged the Government of India and the Election Commission to immediately initiate an SIR in Meghalaya, with special focus on border districts and infiltration-prone regions.
He also sought strict verification of entries, removal of illegal and doubtful voters, and safeguards to prevent harassment or wrongful exclusion of genuine citizens.
Additionally, the CoMSO chairman also called for strengthening the claims and objections mechanism to enable citizens and recognised bodies to flag suspicious entries, while ensuring that the entire exercise is conducted in a fair, lawful, and transparent manner.
Synrem further emphasised that clean electoral rolls are essential to uphold free and fair elections and protect the constitutional and demographic rights of the people of Meghalaya.
