By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, April 20: BJP’s Meghalaya in charge Anil K. Antony on Monday defended the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, emphasising that this constitutionally mandated exercise is necessary to ensure transparency, accuracy and fairness in the country’s democratic processes.
Addressing a press conference, Antony said SIR was carried out in Bihar recently, and it is now in progress in several other states.
He said such revisions are not new but have been conducted periodically since the 1950s to maintain updated and credible electoral rolls.
“This is a constitutional process that has been followed for decades. Even during the tenure of previous governments, including UPA, similar revisions were carried out multiple times,” he said.
Antony outlined SIR’s three primary objectives – ensuring that every eligible citizen is included in the electoral roll, eliminating duplication in voter lists—a common issue arising from migration, change of residence, or administrative lapses—and identifying and removing ineligible entries from the rolls.
“In many cases, individuals may unknowingly find their names registered in multiple constituencies when they relocate. The SIR process will correct such anomalies to ensure that each person is entitled to only one vote,” the BJP leader said.
He noted that the process is being supported by technological integration, including linkage with Aadhaar and electoral photo identity cards, to enhance accuracy and minimise errors. According to him, the systematic verification and updating of electoral rolls will significantly improve the credibility of elections.
“The objective is very clear—to make our electoral system more robust, transparent, and trustworthy. Free and fair elections depend on the integrity of the electoral rolls, and this exercise is a step in that direction,” Antony said.
Stating that Meghalaya will also undergo the SIR process in due course, he said the exercise would help streamline voter data and ensure that all eligible citizens are properly registered while eliminating discrepancies.
He admitted that infiltration remains a sensitive issue in regions like Meghalaya. He said the central government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, had taken several steps to address such challenges.
“In border states, including Meghalaya, there are efforts such as border fencing, enhanced surveillance, and coordination among security agencies to tackle infiltration and ensure that only genuine citizens are part of the electoral process,” he said.
He, however, clarified that detailed operational matters regarding border management and verification processes would be handled by authorities and agencies concerned.
According to Antony, SIR is crucial for strengthening India’s democratic framework. “A clean and accurate electoral roll is the foundation of democracy. By ensuring inclusion, eliminating duplication, and removing ineligible entries, we are safeguarding the integrity of our elections,” he said.
He expressed confidence that once implemented, the SIR exercise would enhance public trust in the electoral system.
