Former Chief Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi has sharply criticized the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, contending that its emphasis on voter exclusion has significantly undermined democratic values and the fairness of elections in India.
Quraishi argues that the current SIR initiative is unjust, claiming it has led to the disenfranchisement of millions of voters. He stated, “The SIR is unfair because of the way this is being done,” emphasizing that voter registration should not be seen as a privilege but rather as a constitutional right.
In a recent interview with PTI ahead of the release of his new book, “India and I: A Hundred Memories, Not a Memoir,” published by Hachette India, Quraishi raised concerns about the effectiveness of the SIR process in Bihar. He noted that after examining eight crore individuals, only 150 were identified as Bangladeshi and 350 as Nepali Hindu women, highlighting the inefficiency of the initiative.
Quraishi criticized the Election Commission’s new requirement for SIR details of parents for new voters, arguing that this further complicates the voting process and creates unnecessary barriers for citizens. He expressed disappointment at the scrutiny from UN Special Rapporteurs regarding the SIR, urging the Election Commission to respond effectively to international concerns.
According to Quraishi, the current SIR approach appears to prioritize exclusion over inclusion, stating, “How many people can you throw out of the electoral roll, that seems to be the focus.” He recalled that during his tenure, the objective was to ensure minimal voter exclusion, advocating for a more inclusive and supportive process for voter registration.
He also reflected on past practices, explaining that annual revisions were conducted to maintain accurate electoral rolls without excessive disruption. This method was efficient and effective, unlike the current approach, which he believes is flawed and counterproductive.
Quraishi further criticized the lack of transparency surrounding the number of illegal immigrants identified during the Bihar SIR exercise, questioning why the Election Commission has not disclosed these figures. He noted, “The nation wants to know, we want to know, everybody wants to know, please tell us how many foreigners you found.”
He expressed concern that the international criticism of the SIR reflects poorly on India’s electoral integrity, suggesting that the nation must provide a convincing response to maintain its democratic reputation.
Finally, Quraishi addressed the implications of the Election Commission’s new requirements for new voters, emphasizing that these measures create unnecessary hurdles, which undermine the constitutional right to vote. Currently, the SIR is being implemented in 16 states and three Union territories, impacting over 36.73 crore voters.
