Should SIR Be Conducted Nationwide Instead of Selectively in Poll-Bound States?
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Synopsis
Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee calls for the immediate dissolution of the Lok Sabha and a nationwide Special Intensive Revision by the ECI. He argues that if voter lists are faulty, the legitimacy of previous elections is compromised, demanding accountability from the government and the Election Commission.
Key Takeaways
- Call for national SIR: Abhishek Banerjee pushes for a comprehensive voter list revision.
- Accountability demanded: He urges the dissolution of the Lok Sabha due to electoral integrity concerns.
- Election Commission's role: The ECI's findings on voter lists have sparked significant political discourse.
- Legal actions proposed: Banerjee suggests holding former officials accountable for past electoral processes.
- Public trust at stake: The legitimacy of elections is crucial for maintaining faith in democracy.
Kolkata, Aug 13 (NationPress) Abhishek Banerjee, the General Secretary of the Trinamool Congress and party leader in the Lok Sabha, has challenged the BJP-led Central government to promptly dissolve the Lok Sabha and conduct a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) by the Election Commission of India (ECI) nationwide, rather than just in states preparing for elections.
In a statement on his social media platform, Banerjee expressed that the citizens of the country have been deceived after the ECI reported irregularities in the voters' lists across various states.
"The ECI has declared that the voter lists, which were used for the GENERAL ELECTIONS held less than a year ago in 2024, are DEFECTIVE and filled with IRREGULARITIES," he remarked.
"If this is true, and if the Government of India agrees with the ECI’s findings, the initial move towards executing a credible SIR and maintaining a MORAL HIGH GROUND is the IMMEDIATE DISSOLUTION OF LOK SABHA. If one genuinely endorses the concept of SIR, then according to the ECI’s own statement - THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY HAVE BEEN BETRAYED," the Trinamool Congress leader asserted.
He further urged the ECI to implement SIR throughout the nation. "If the new Chief Election Commissioner is indeed as capable as suggested, then the SIR should be enacted across the board, not merely in states facing elections," he added.
On Tuesday, Banerjee stated that the SIR proposed by the ECI would only be acceptable if the current Parliament is disbanded. He asserted that if SIR is deemed necessary due to manipulations in the voters’ list, then it must also be acknowledged that the last Lok Sabha elections were conducted with that manipulated list.
"Thus, the current Parliament must be dismantled. Since the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister were elected based on that tampered voters' list, they should resign as well. Additionally, Assembly elections in several states were conducted under similar circumstances, so those Assemblies should also be dissolved," Banerjee informed reporters outside the Kolkata Airport.
He emphasized that legal proceedings should be initiated against former Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar for overseeing elections conducted with a 'manipulated voters' list.
On Monday, the ECI released a fact-check refuting the claims made by protesting opposition leaders regarding alleged voter list manipulation.
Point of View
It is essential to highlight the significance of Abhishek Banerjee's demands. The call for a nationwide SIR raises critical questions about electoral integrity and accountability. In a democratic setup, ensuring that every citizen's vote counts is paramount. Therefore, the government and the ECI must address these concerns seriously to maintain public trust.
NationPress
08/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Special Intensive Revision (SIR)?
Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is a process conducted by the Election Commission of India to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the electoral rolls.
Why does Banerjee want the Lok Sabha dissolved?
Banerjee believes that if the voters' lists are found to be faulty, the legitimacy of the last elections is compromised, warranting the dissolution of the Lok Sabha.
What are the implications of faulty voter lists?
Faulty voter lists can lead to manipulated elections, undermining the democratic process and eroding public trust in electoral institutions.
What actions does Banerjee suggest against former officials?
He has called for legal action against former Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar for overseeing elections with manipulated voters' lists.
How has the Election Commission responded to these allegations?
The ECI has issued a fact-check declaring the allegations of voter list manipulation as incorrect.
