Priyanka Chaturvedi slams SIR's tough document demands

New Delhi

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi on Thursday alleged that the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar is being conducted by the Election Commission under BJP’s influence. She questioned the timing of the exercise so close to elections and raised concerns about voters being unfairly removed.

Chaturvedi said the SIR process has created more confusion than confidence among voters. She pointed out that many are being asked to submit difficult-to-procure documents, and even after the Supreme Court recommended including more document options as proof of citizenship, the Election Commission refused to consider them. She asked what happened to these voters during the Lok Sabha elections and whether their data was misused.

Backing RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, Chaturvedi said his questions were valid and supported the ongoing protests. Yadav warned of a possible election boycott by the Mahagathbandhan if the SIR is not rolled back. He said lakhs of voter names are being deliberately removed and questioned why the process was not needed earlier when those same voters had supported BJP.

On Thursday, INDIA bloc MPs held a protest for the fourth day outside Parliament, demanding that the SIR process be halted. Leaders including Priyanka Gandhi, Mahua Maji, Gaurav Gogoi, Manoj Jha, and Chaturvedi participated, holding banners that read SIR – Attack on Democracy. They have also raised the issue in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha through adjournment motions.

The Bihar Assembly elections are likely in October or November, though official dates are yet to be announced by the Election Commission.