CEC Gyanesh Kumar Defends Voter Roll Revision, Cites Zero Appeals
CEC Gyanesh Kumar defended the Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls during a Gujarat visit, citing zero appeals and a seven-day correction window.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has defended the integrity of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls, saying the exercise withstands political criticism just as the sun's rising in the east remains an unshakeable universal truth.
Speaking at an event in Ahmedabad during a two-day visit to Gujarat, Kumar addressed the intense public scrutiny the poll body has faced over the revision. He rejected arguments that higher voter turnout percentages were an artificial result of trimming voter lists, asserting instead that historic voluntary turnouts in recent assembly elections reflect growing public trust in Indian democracy.
On the cleanup process, the CEC said mapping names against historical data, including the Citizenship Act and older electoral rolls, is necessary to remove outdated entries and resolve discrepancies arising from varying spellings across multiple identity documents. He pointed to a fast-track correction mechanism through mobile applications that allows booth-level officers to settle legitimate voter requests within seven days.
Refuting claims that the revision was aimed at manipulating voting percentages, Kumar noted that no appeals were filed with district collectors after the latest exercise.
He urged citizens, particularly young people, to participate actively in the democratic process, saying every eligible person aged 18 and above should register and vote. Greater participation strengthens democracy, he said, adding that managing elections across a vast geography involving crores of voters is a distinctive feature of India's system.
During the visit, Kumar also toured the historic Adalaj Stepwell after visiting Gandhi Ashram, where he examined the stepwell's architecture and intricate carvings. Gandhinagar Collector Ravindra Khatale and Adalaj Sarpanch Pragnyesh Patel welcomed him and presented a memento. He interacted with booth-level officers at primary schools in Dantali, Jamiyatpura, Shertha and Manekba. Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer Sandeep Sagale and Archaeology Department Assistant Superintendent Dineshkumar Meena were present.