AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal has raised serious concerns over the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) after nearly 4.7 million voters were excluded from Delhi's draft electoral roll.
- Approximately 47 lakh voters are reportedly missing from Delhi's draft electoral roll.
- Arvind Kejriwal questioned the integrity of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
- The AAP leader mocked the Central Government, suggesting SIR could 'reduce' the national population.
In a significant political escalation, former Delhi Chief Minister and AAP president Arvind Kejriwal has launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission's (EC) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. The controversy erupted following the publication of the draft electoral roll for Delhi, which allegedly excludes more than 47 lakh eligible voters.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Kejriwal highlighted a staggering discrepancy, noting that out of a total voter base of around 1.5 crore, nearly 47 lakh names have vanished. He argued that such a massive exclusion is not a mere clerical error but a systemic failure that could disenfranchise a huge portion of the city's population.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that the removal of millions of names from a draft roll can lead to widespread chaos during the actual polling process. In a closely contested political environment like Delhi, the exclusion of 4.7 million voters could potentially skew election results, raising questions about the neutrality and efficiency of the electoral machinery.
The scale of exclusions in the Delhi draft roll necessitates an immediate and transparent audit to prevent mass disenfranchisement.
Kejriwal further utilized the situation to target the Central Government with a sharp satirical remark. He suggested that the government should stop worrying about population growth, as the SIR exercise appears capable of reducing India's population from 140 crore to 50 crore by simply removing names from the rolls.
Historical Background
The process of electoral roll revision is a standard procedure managed by the Election Commission to ensure the list remains current. However, the 'Special Intensive Revision' is designed to be more rigorous. In previous cycles, various political entities in Delhi have accused the administration of using these revisions to target specific demographics or political supporters, making this current discrepancy a flashpoint for political conflict.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)?
A: It is a comprehensive verification process conducted by the Election Commission to purge duplicate or ineligible entries and add new voters.
Q2: What is the scale of the missing voters as per Kejriwal?
A: According to Arvind Kejriwal, roughly 47 lakh names are missing from the draft roll of 1.5 crore total voters.