ITANAGAR, Oct 29: Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Textiles Pabitra Margherita on Thursday defended the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, accusing the Congress of politicising the exercise and creating confusion over a process aimed at ensuring accurate voter lists.
Addressing a press conference at the state BJP headquarters here, Margherita thanked the people of Arunachal Pradesh for their cooperation during the SIR exercise and said the peaceful conduct of the revision demonstrated the importance of public participation in electoral processes. Arunachal Pradesh BJP chief spokesperson and MLA Mutchu Mithi was also present.
Margherita maintained that electoral-roll revision was an established exercise undertaken by the Election Commission of India to ensure the accuracy and reliability of voter lists. He pointed out that such revisions had been carried out under successive governments, including Congress-led administrations, and questioned the Congress’s opposition to the process.
According to figures cited by the minister, around 22 per cent of entries were removed from the existing electoral rolls in Arunachal Pradesh following verification. The deletions reportedly included entries relating to deceased voters, people who had shifted residence, individuals whose whereabouts could not be established and duplicate registrations.
He credited the cooperation of citizens across communities and political affiliations for the conduct of the exercise, claiming that participation extended to Congress members and representatives as well.
Emphasising the need for accurate electoral rolls, Margherita said periodic verification was necessary to address duplicate registrations and changes in voters’ residence. He, however, stressed that no eligible citizen should lose voting rights because of an administrative or clerical error.
He urged voters whose names might have been omitted incorrectly to approach the appropriate electoral authorities and seek inclusion or correction through the prescribed procedures.
The minister accused the Congress leadership, particularly Rahul Gandhi, of turning electoral procedures into a political controversy following electoral setbacks. He challenged the party to substantiate its allegations with evidence and pursue available legal remedies rather than create public confusion.
Margherita said the Election Commission should be allowed to discharge its constitutional responsibilities in accordance with the law, while genuine grievances should be addressed through established administrative and legal mechanisms.
He also called for respect for constitutional institutions, including the Election Commission and the judiciary, and said electoral integrity and the protection of eligible voters’ rights must go hand in hand.
Reiterating the BJP’s position, Margherita said transparent verification, reliable electoral rolls and accessible correction procedures were essential to maintaining public confidence in free and fair elections. He appealed to eligible voters to verify their electoral details and seek corrections wherever necessary.
The minister also acknowledged the role of election officials, Booth Level Officers, political representatives, civil society organisations and citizens in supporting the revision exercise.
Concluding the presser, he thanked the people of Arunachal Pradesh for their cooperation and urged political parties to place democratic responsibility above partisan differences.
The BJP reiterated its message under the slogan “Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy”, calling for electoral transparency, protection of eligible voters’ rights and respect for constitutional processes.