SIR Voter Roll Revision a Constitutional Duty, Says Kishan Reddy

Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy has called on political parties to refrain from politicising the SIR voter roll revision, characterising it as a routine constitutional exercise designed by the Election Commission of India to enhance the accuracy and openness of electoral rolls. He has also encouraged citizens to take an active role in the process.

Speaking at a press conference held at the BJP state headquarters in Hyderabad, Kishan Reddy stressed that the SIR voter roll revision represents an established practice rather than an unprecedented initiative. He pointed out that the Election Commission has undertaken comparable revisions multiple times previously, even during administrations led by the Congress party.

The revision process is intended to strengthen the integrity of electoral rolls by ensuring that only eligible Indian citizens retain voting rights. The exercise aims to eliminate duplicate registrations, expunge records of deceased individuals, and remove names of those deemed ineligible to vote.

Kishan Reddy dismissed allegations from certain political parties that the exercise serves partisan interests, asserting instead that the Election Commission operates with complete autonomy from any political entity or governmental influence. He cautioned that misinformation about the revision was being circulated in some quarters and urged residents of Telangana and other Telugu-speaking areas to participate fully to safeguard their democratic rights.

The Union minister argued that maintaining precise electoral rolls is fundamental to democratic governance. He cited examples from other states where similar revision exercises had contributed to greater voter consciousness and higher levels of electoral participation. Such processes also serve to rectify administrative errors and bolster public trust in the electoral machinery, he added.

Kishan Reddy underscored the constitutional independence of the Election Commission, cautioning political parties against levelling unfounded charges against this institutional body or fostering unnecessary scepticism among the electorate.