The Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee has formally pressed the state's Chief Electoral Officer to take immediate action, ensuring that all citizens holding Special Intensive Revision (SIR) forms are duly registered in the final electoral rolls before the upcoming elections.
Formal Demand to the Election Authorities
On Friday, the state Congress unit submitted a detailed letter to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) based in Raipur. The communication underscores a critical lapse where a significant number of eligible voters, despite possessing the valid SIR forms, find their names missing from the draft electoral rolls. This omission effectively bars them from participating in the democratic process.
Migrant Labourers and Tribal Communities at Risk
The letter brings specific attention to two vulnerable demographic groups facing potential disenfranchisement. The first comprises migrant labourers who have temporarily relocated to other states for work. The second group includes tribal residents from remote and forested regions, particularly in assembly segments like Lailunga.
Congress officials have pointed out that in several interior villages, individuals who migrate seasonally for livelihood are being incorrectly categorized as having 'shifted' their residence permanently. This administrative error leads to their wrongful exclusion from the voter list.
Implications for Democratic Rights
This situation raises serious concerns about the integrity of the electoral process and the fundamental right to vote. The failure to include these voters, who have followed due procedure by obtaining SIR forms, could impact electoral outcomes in affected constituencies. The Congress's appeal to the CEO is a direct call to safeguard democratic inclusivity before the polls commence.
The party's demand highlights an ongoing challenge in Indian elections: accurately documenting a mobile and geographically dispersed population. Ensuring that every eligible voter, especially those in marginalized and remote communities, is counted remains a paramount task for election authorities.
