Oppose the Extension of SIR
CPI(M) Polit Bureau has issued the following statement on October 29, 2025
THE Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) strongly opposes the Election Commission of India's (ECI) decision to extend the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the Electoral Rolls to twelve states.
As demonstrated in Bihar, this process disenfranchises a large number of people from weaker sections of society. It is deeply concerning that the ECI is proceeding with this exercise even while the question of its jurisdiction in determining citizenship is still pending before the Supreme Court. The Constitution explicitly states that while citizenship is a prerequisite for voter enrollment, its determination does not fall under the ECI's purview.
The ECI refuses to learn from the experience in Bihar. It was compelled to concede that the eleven documents it requires as proof need not be submitted initially with the enrollment forms. Even Aadhaar, which was added only after the Supreme Court's intervention, is considered only a proof of residence. The insistence on documents not commonly held by the poor and vulnerable will disproportionately disenfranchise these groups.
The CPI(M) reiterates its opposition to shifting the burden of enrollment onto voters themselves. Enrolling voters is the sole responsibility of the ECI. Despite the ECI's denials and refusal to share the guidelines of the 2003 revision in Bihar, it became clear that the current process differs significantly from its official claims.
The CPI(M) firmly believes that while electoral rolls must be error-free and the revision process transparent, the SIR cannot be used as a tool to determine citizenship in furtherance of the BJP's divisive Hindutva agenda.
