Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday emphasized that the special intensive revision (SIR) of Punjab's electoral rolls must be conducted with transparency and honesty to protect the voting rights of genuine citizens. Responding to queries regarding the SIR, Mann stated that the exercise would commence on June 15 in the presence of representatives from all political parties.
Ensuring Integrity of Voter Lists
Emphasizing the need to prevent negative narratives such as voter tampering, the Chief Minister said that the state government wants to ensure that no genuine votes are deleted and no fraudulent ones are added to the list on political lines. He added that the state is actively coordinating with the Election Commission of India (ECI) for a completely honest process, urging the poll body to address any complaints raised by political parties.
Comparison with Other States
Mann noted that while states like West Bengal faced allegations of voter list manipulation during similar exercises, such discrepancies are less likely in Punjab's close-knit community. He expressed confidence that the revision would be conducted fairly.
Role of Political Parties
Mann said that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) would deploy its booth-level assistants (BLAs) on the ground alongside booth-level officers (BLOs) appointed by the ECI to help oversee the revision work. He also appealed to eligible voters to ensure their names are printed in the revised lists.
Call for Transparency
The state chief electoral officer has asked recognized political parties to appoint booth-level agents to ensure transparency and smooth conduct of the SIR process. Mann reiterated that the government is committed to a transparent revision that upholds democratic values.
