The Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has suggested extending the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) timeline to 1.5 to 2 years, emphasizing the need for accuracy in the absence of imminent elections. The delegation, led by MPCC president Harshwardhan Sapkal, pointed out the growth of 3.5 crore voters in the last 25 years, advocating against rushing the process within 2-3 months. Concerned about potential chaos and distrust, they urged the Election Commission to ensure a transparent and fair revision process.
Highlighting concerns, the Congress party opposed the appointment of the same officials for both Census work and the SIR process, citing potential injustice to staff and the public. They called for written accountability from Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) who delete names without legal notice, demanding strict disciplinary measures for such actions. Additionally, the party raised alarm over the misuse of sensitive data by unauthorized individuals, referencing incidents in other states like the “Chilume Scam” in Karnataka and irregularities in West Bengal.
Expressing apprehension over reports of voter disenfranchisement in marginalized communities, the Congress party requested special training sessions for leaders to understand the SIR process. They also advocated for safeguarding the voting rights of unorganized workers like seasonal migrants. Furthermore, the party proposed measures such as providing voter lists in both OCR/machine-readable and hard-copy formats, ensuring a one-month objection filing window, and preserving SIR data for at least five years at the district level to maintain the integrity of the electoral process.
