Chandigarh: The Punjab Legislative Assembly on Friday unanimously passed a resolution opposing alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and seeking an independent investigation into complaints that eligible voters had been removed from voter lists.
The resolution was adopted during a special session chaired by Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan on October 23. It called on the Central Government and relevant constitutional authorities to ensure transparency in the revision process and address concerns over the deletion of voters.
The move comes amid a wider debate over electoral roll revisions, with complaints in different parts of the country alleging that eligible voters have been excluded from voter lists. The claims have raised questions about verification procedures and the safeguards available to people affected by changes to electoral rolls.
Punjab Assembly Cites Constitutional Provisions
During the proceedings, Sandhwan referred to Articles 324, 325 and 326 of the Constitution, which deal with the Election Commission’s powers over elections, non-discrimination in electoral rolls and adult suffrage.
He expressed concern over allegations that eligible voters had been removed from electoral lists and said the complaints warranted scrutiny to ensure transparency and accountability.
The resolution called for an independent, impartial and credible investigation into decisions taken during the revision exercise and objections related to electoral rolls.
It also stressed the importance of addressing such concerns to maintain public confidence in the electoral process and democratic institutions.
Resolution Seeks Accountability From Election Commission
The Assembly’s resolution raised concerns about the functioning of the Election Commission of India under Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. It called for greater accountability in the electoral roll revision process and a transparent mechanism to examine complaints.
The demand centres on allegations of voter deletions and the need to establish whether the revision procedures were followed properly in cases where eligible voters claim to have been excluded.
However, the allegations of irregularities have not been independently established in the information provided, and the resolution itself does not constitute a finding that unlawful deletions occurred.
What Happens Next?
The resolution places the Punjab Assembly’s position on record and urges the relevant authorities to address concerns surrounding the SIR exercise. Any investigation or official response would be needed to establish the facts behind individual complaints.
The development adds to the political debate over electoral roll revisions and the role of constitutional authorities in protecting eligible citizens’ voting rights. The key issue remains whether complaints can be examined through a transparent process and any verified errors corrected before they affect voters’ participation in elections.
