Mangaluru: The alarming rate of exclusions rather than inclusions in electoral rolls, particularly affecting a large number of women, is a matter of grave concern, stated the Janavadi Mahila Sanghatane in a memorandum submitted to the Dakshina Kannada district administration. The organization urged the adoption of women-friendly measures during the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Concerns Over Purification Drive
Prameela Shaktinagara, secretary of the organization, noted that the SIR, termed as a 'purification' process, is underway across the country and is in its third phase in Karnataka. Citing experiences from other states, she highlighted that a significant number of women voters were deleted in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal. The forum demanded that inconsistent details and illogical discrepancies should not be applied during the revision scheduled in Dakshina Kannada from June 30.
Demands for Women-Friendly Measures
The memorandum urged the administration to provide necessary documents for women, many of whom lack education, and to take measures on behalf of common people. It emphasized that the Constitution of India and the Representation of the People Act, 1950, provide for intensive revision, summary revision, and partial revisions, which have been followed until now.
Transparency Demanded by MLC
MLC Ivan D'Souza urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to ensure complete transparency during the SIR process in Karnataka. He stated that the Congress party would cooperate fully with the ECI but insisted on fairness and accountability. D'Souza highlighted that nearly 10% of the total electorate, about 5.2 crore voters, were reportedly removed during revisions across 12 states and Union territories. He called for publication of detailed constituency-wise data before commencing the SIR in Karnataka.
He added that Congress would remain vigilant and would not allow any wrongful deletion or addition of voters.
