Debate Heats Up Over India's Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls

Indian political discourse intensified as Congress MP Imran Masood openly criticized the Election Commission's planned Special Intensive Revision (SIR) Phase-2 for electoral rolls. Masood accused the Commission of eroding its credibility, a sentiment echoed across political circles, fearing it could tarnish the democratic fabric.

The Election Commission of India announced that Phase-2 of the SIR would cover 12 states and Union Territories, with the final electoral rolls set to be published on February 7, 2026. According to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, the process involves several stages, including printing, enumeration, and verification, scheduled from late October 2023 through early February 2026.

Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee expressed concerns over potential voter exclusion, specifically in West Bengal, during a press conference in Kolkata. Banerjee argued that the revision, launched amid significant festivals, risks stripping genuine voters of their rights, prompting possible mass protests. The controversy marks a significant moment in India's ongoing electoral processes.