Bhubaneswar, 12 October (H.S.): Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has emphasised the importance of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, stating that accurate voter lists are essential to safeguarding electoral integrity and strengthening public confidence in democracy.

In a social media post, Majhi said the credibility of a democracy rests on free and fair elections and the protection of every eligible citizen’s right to vote. He stressed that clean and accurate electoral rolls form the foundation of public trust in the electoral process.

The Chief Minister pointed out that duplicate entries, outdated records and the continued inclusion of deceased persons’ names in voter lists could compromise their accuracy. He said ensuring reliable electoral rolls was not merely an administrative necessity but an essential measure to protect the integrity of elections.

Highlighting the significance of the SIR exercise, Majhi said it helps identify discrepancies, remove duplicate entries, update records following deaths or changes in residence, and ensure that eligible voters are not left out of the electoral rolls.

At the same time, he underlined the need to protect every legitimate voter from wrongful exclusion during the revision process. According to him, these safeguards are central to electoral fairness, equal representation and respect for every vote.

Describing the SIR as a necessary and constructive exercise, the Chief Minister said its effective implementation, backed by fairness and due diligence, would help maintain the reliability of electoral records and reinforce public confidence in the democratic process.

Majhi’s remarks underscore the importance of balancing the accuracy of electoral rolls with the protection of the voting rights of all eligible citizens.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda