Parliament has scheduled a debate on electoral reforms as outrage grows over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls and rising BLO deaths. Opposition leaders demand urgent accountability and transparency in the nationwide revision process.
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NEW DELHI: The Indian government has agreed to hold a parliamentary debate on electoral reforms, including the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls, after sustained pressure from opposition parties. The announcement comes during the ongoing winter session and amid growing concerns over the safety of officials conducting the voter roll update across 12 states and union territories.
According to parliamentary sources, the discussion on electoral reforms will take place on December 9 and 10, following a debate on the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram scheduled for December 8. The government has maintained that while reforms can be discussed in parliament, the SIR itself is an administrative process overseen by the Election Commission, and therefore outside the government’s direct control.
Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju stated,
“The Election Commission independently manages elections and voter roll revisions under existing laws. Parliament can discuss reforms, but SIR is an administrative matter, so the government cannot comment on operational details.”
Opposition leaders, however, insist that SIR must be addressed immediately due to its national significance and the reported deaths of over 28 Block Level Officers (BLOs) involved in the process. Mallikarjun Kharge, leader of the opposition in Rajya Sabha, stressed that a debate is essential for the interests of citizens and democracy.
In a strategic move, opposition parties agreed to the government’s proposed debate schedule, prioritizing parliamentary protocol while vowing to raise the issue forcefully during discussions. Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien said,
“While SIR remains urgent, in the spirit of democracy, we accepted the schedule. We will ensure the government is held accountable in both debates.”
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The agreement comes after the monsoon session ended without any discussion on SIR, raising questions about a “trust deficit” between the government and opposition. Opposition members argue that parliamentary debate is necessary to address public concerns, ensure transparency in the voter roll update, and protect officials involved in the process.
The upcoming debates are expected to focus on:
- Reforming election procedures and strengthening transparency
- Reviewing challenges in the Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls
- Ensuring the safety and welfare of BLOs during the revision process
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