The Maharashtra Chief Electoral Officer has forwarded the Congress party's demand to postpone the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls by a month to the Election Commission of India (ECI). The Congress cited concerns that the Ashadhi Wari pilgrimage and the monsoon season could hinder the door-to-door voter verification exercise scheduled from June 29 to July 30.
Congress Raises Concerns
In a letter to Maharashtra Chief Electoral Officer S Chockalingam, state Congress president Harshvardhan Sapkal stated that devotees traveling to Pandharpur for Ashadhi Ekadashi would be away from home during the revision exercise when Booth Level Officers (BLOs) distribute and collect enumeration forms. He argued that lakhs of warkaris from over 20 districts across western Maharashtra, Marathwada, and Vidarbha would be absent during the verification period, increasing the likelihood of eligible voters being omitted from the electoral rolls.
ECI to Decide
Senior election officials have indicated that the final decision on the request rests with the ECI. They noted that it is unlikely that entire families would be away when BLOs visit during the verification process. However, they added that the ECI may consider extending the exercise if additional time is needed to ensure all eligible voters are covered.
Congress Urges Deferment
Sapkal urged election authorities to defer the exercise by a month to prevent any eligible voter from being inconvenienced or excluded due to the pilgrimage or adverse weather conditions. The Congress party emphasized the importance of ensuring that no eligible voter is left out of the electoral rolls.
