New Delhi, March 15 – The Election Commission of India (ECI) strongly defended the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise undertaken in about a dozen states while announcing the polling schedule for four states and one Union Territory.
“Pure electoral rolls are the foundation of free and fair elections. The SIR was conducted to ensure that no eligible elector is excluded and no ineligible elector is included in the rolls,” said Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar while briefing the press on the upcoming elections.
Accompanying CEC Gyanesh Kumar were Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, who said that the elections in the four states and the Union Territory represent the distinct geographical and cultural landscape of India.
He said that the elections celebrate the country’s cultural richness and reflect its unity and diversity, and urged everyone, particularly first-time voters, to participate in the celebration of democracy.
Addressing the first-time voters directly, he said, “You are about to take on one of the most important roles in life. I urge you to participate in the democratic process and cast your vote.”
“The elections are a festival of democracy, and we all should be proud,” he added.
The Assembly elections are scheduled to be held in West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry.
Notably, the EC announcement came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a rally in Kolkata.
The Prime Minister accused the ruling Trinamool Congress government of trying to protect “outsiders” during the recently concluded Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Also, the TMC has moved an impeachment motion against the CEC, accusing the polling body of bias during the SIR drive. A notice to this effect was also submitted in both Houses of Parliament, backed by the opposition parties.
