TNI Bureau: BJD Rajya Sabha MP Manas Ranjan Mangaraj on Tuesday raised serious concerns in the House over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list, cautioning that the exercise, if not implemented properly, could result in the exclusion of genuine voters.

Speaking during a discussion on election reforms, Mangaraj said that while maintaining a clean and accurate electoral roll is essential, the current manner in which SIR is being carried out has caused widespread anxiety. He noted that many eligible voters are being asked to furnish multiple documents, creating difficulties for poor citizens, migrant workers, daily wage earners, senior citizens, and residents of remote and border areas.

The BJD leader also questioned the timing of the revision exercise, pointing out that conducting an intensive voter list revision close to Assembly elections in several states has led to confusion and mistrust among voters. He stressed that electoral reforms should build confidence in the democratic process, not create suspicion.

Raising a key concern, Mangaraj said there is no clear communication on whether SIR is strictly a voter list revision or if it is being perceived as a form of citizenship verification. He added that the lack of clarity from the Election Commission has contributed to unnecessary public fear.

Calling for immediate corrective steps, the Rajya Sabha MP demanded clear and uniform guidelines, simplified documentation requirements, sufficient time for verification, and voter-friendly use of technology. He also urged the authorities to set up special facilitation camps for migrants, persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and first-time voters, along with mobile teams to reach remote and border regions.

Emphasising that voting is a constitutional right, Mangaraj said any deletion from the voter list must follow due process, transparency and accountability. He further called for a post-SIR audit to ensure that no genuine voter is wrongly removed from the rolls.

He concluded by stating that while the House supports necessary electoral reforms, it cannot support any move that denies legitimate citizens their fundamental right to vote.