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Congress Questions Delhi SIR Notices and Election Commission’s VIP Wording
The Election Commission is checking voter lists in Delhi through a process called SIR.
Some voters received notices because their records could not be matched or had possible mistakes.
The Commission says receiving a notice does not mean a person will automatically lose the right to vote.
It says people must get a chance to explain their case before any deletion.
Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the phrase “VIP/marked electors.”
He asked whether important people were being treated differently from ordinary voters.
Congress also says the SIR process places too much work on citizens and could remove eligible voters.
Kharge pointed to Bengal, where many decided appeals against deletions were successful.
The Election Commission and the Supreme Court have said that a notice or roll deletion does not decide a person’s citizenship.
Mallikarjun Kharge questioned the Election Commission’s reference to “VIP/marked electors” during Delhi’s SIR.
The Delhi CEO said notices concern unlinked records or logical discrepancies and do not automatically delete names.
The draft Delhi roll includes prominent figures including L.K. Advani, S. Jaishankar and Manish Sisodia.
About 33.13 lakh Delhi voters were identified for notices, with more than 31.63 lakh notices served.
Kharge cited Bengal data showing 93% of decided deletion appeals succeeded, reinstating 1,13,943 people.
- Who
- Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the Election Commission; the Delhi Chief Electoral Officer explained the notices.
- What
- The dispute concerns notices issued during Delhi’s Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and the use of the term “VIP/marked electors.”
- Where
- Delhi, with related appeal figures from Bengal.
- When
- Kharge made his remarks on Monday, after the Delhi Chief Electoral Officer issued a press release on Sunday.
- Why
- The Election Commission says notices address unlinked records or logical discrepancies, while Congress alleges the process may unfairly burden or disenfranchise voters.
Congress criticism
Election Commission explanation
Treatment of voters
Congress criticism
Mallikarjun Kharge questioned whether the phrase “VIP/marked electors” creates a special category of voters and violates the principle of equal voting value.
Election Commission explanation
The Delhi Chief Electoral Officer used the term to describe electors whose records required scrutiny and said the notices do not mean their names will be deleted.
Purpose and effect of SIR
Congress criticism
Congress leaders called SIR a flawed process that burdens citizens and alleged it could facilitate voter removal or disenfranchisement.
Election Commission explanation
The Election Commission’s stated rationale is to examine records that cannot be linked to the previous intensive revision or contain logical discrepancies.
Deletion safeguards
Congress criticism
Kharge cited Bengal’s successful appeals as evidence that voters’ names may have been wrongly deleted.
Election Commission explanation
The Delhi CEO said no deletion can occur without an opportunity for the elector to be heard and a proper appealable order; the article also notes the Supreme Court’s position that deletion does not determine citizenship.
Key facts
- Process
- Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls
- Delhi draft roll
- Around 97 lakh voters
- Delhi notices
- 33.13 lakh voters identified for notices; more than 31.63 lakh notices served
- Notice meaning
- The Delhi CEO said a notice does not automatically lead to deletion
- Required safeguards
- The elector must receive an opportunity to be heard before a proper speaking and appealable order
- Bengal appeals
- 93% of decided deletion appeals succeeded, with 1,13,943 people to be reinstated
- Supreme Court position
- The article says the Court has repeatedly stated that SIR deletion does not determine citizenship
Quotes
Mallikarjun Kharge
President of the Indian National Congress
“Is there now some Special Category of voters in India’s Universal Adult Franchise—VIP voters and ordinary voters?”
telegraphindia.com
“Press Release for VIPs, Silence for crores of ordinary voters!”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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