Jaipur: Former Rajasthan Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot has issued a sharp criticism of the Election Commission, questioning the urgency behind the rollout of the Summary Revision Identification (SIR) process. Speaking to reporters on Friday, Gehlot alleged that the hurried implementation was creating widespread fear and uncertainty among ordinary citizens, especially the poor.
Gehlot said that people across several districts were anxious about the status of their names on the electoral rolls and were unsure whether they would be removed without proper verification. Drawing a parallel to the chaos witnessed during the 2016 demonetisation, the senior Congress leader remarked, “People have become worried about SIR, wondering what will happen to our names. Just like during demonetization, when people stood in lines and died… I don’t remember that figure. Here again, poor people are dying.”
He argued that the Election Commission should not force such a sensitive exercise within a severely limited timeframe, especially when many citizens lack access to documentation or digital resources. “Why does the Election Commission need to rush into implementing SIR? Why is so little time being given?” Gehlot asked, calling the matter “very serious” and urging the public to recognise its implications.
According to Gehlot, the rushed process could disenfranchise thousands, particularly daily wage earners, migrants, and those living in rural and remote areas. He accused the authorities of failing to prioritise transparency and adequate communication before initiating such a large-scale verification campaign.
“This issue is not about politics but about people’s democratic rights,” he added, saying that the integrity of the voter list must never be compromised by hasty administrative decisions.
