Assam BJP Seeks Special Electoral Roll Revision to Remove 'Illegal' Voters

Amid the ongoing protests in Bihar by opposition parties against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the Assam unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has come out in full support of the initiative. The BJP in Assam emphasized the importance of SIR as a necessary measure to clean up the voter rolls by eliminating “illegal voters.” Rupam Goswami, convenor of the state media department of Assam BJP, expressed gratitude to the Election Commission for launching what he described as a “crucial process” to uphold electoral integrity.

Goswami argued that Assam also needs a similar revision process to identify and remove ineligible voters who, according to him, were allegedly added to the voter lists by the Congress party through political manipulation. He cited the case of Bihar, where the Election Commission reportedly found a large number of foreign nationals from countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, and Myanmar during recent voter data collection. Most of these individuals were said to be illegal migrants working as laborers who had managed to get their names included in the electoral rolls over the years with political patronage, claimed Goswami.

He emphasized that SIR has been conducted in several parts of India over the years, including a similar exercise in Bihar in 2003. According to him, such revision processes not only help in removing illegal entries but also add new, eligible voters, thereby strengthening the democratic framework at the constituency level.

Goswami criticized the Congress party for opposing the current SIR exercise, accusing them of double standards and opportunism. He alleged that Congress has historically depended on illegal votes, particularly from Bangladeshi Muslim migrants, to win elections. He claimed the party is now afraid of losing its vote bank as these ineligible voters are being detected and removed through the SIR process. Contrasting this with Congress’s actions while in power, Goswami pointed out that the party had once labeled lakhs of indigenous people, including Gorkhas and other communities, as "D voters" (doubtful voters), thereby stripping them of their voting rights without due process.

Further accusing Congress of hypocrisy, Goswami brought up the 2022 case filed by senior Congress leader Randeep Surjewala in the Supreme Court. In that case, Surjewala argued against linking Aadhaar with Voter ID, deeming it unnecessary. However, Goswami noted that the same party is now demanding that Aadhaar be accepted as valid proof for voter enrollment, thereby showcasing a contradictory stance.

The BJP's firm endorsement of the SIR process comes at a politically sensitive time, particularly as voter lists become a focal point in the lead-up to future elections. The Assam BJP’s push for a similar exercise within the state reflects ongoing political and social concerns about voter fraud and demographic shifts in the region. Overall, the party frames SIR as essential for maintaining electoral transparency and ensuring that only eligible citizens are allowed to vote, reinforcing the legitimacy and strength of the democratic process.