The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls began at all 29,571 booths in Jharkhand on June 30, with the Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and Booth Level Agents (BLAs)-2 meeting the local public, followed by distribution of enumeration forms. So far, 82% of voters have been mapped. For the 2.64 crore voters, 31,892 BLOs are engaged. Jharkhand Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) K. Ravi Kumar says in an interview that there is no need to doubt the SIR process regarding transparency. He says SIR is to ensure constitutional rights to Indian citizens. Excerpts:
SIR has already been conducted in other States. Do you find it challenging in Jharkhand?
Jharkhand is not a challenge. Information is very clear; the Election Commission’s instructions are very clear. Wherever there is misinformation and half-truths, we are addressing the issue. We have provided intensive training for all field functionaries, and now they are very clear about the SIR process. I do not feel any problem in the enumeration process and the verification process. In Jharkhand, the process will go smoothly.
Several leaders of the ruling parties are calling SIR a threat to the constitutional right.
SIR is to ensure the constitutional rights of people. It is the exclusive right given to the citizens under Article 326. Only Indian citizens who attained the age of 18 and living in the area are entitled as voters. Being a constitutional right, no authority can deny such a right to the voter living in Jharkhand. So, it is the responsibility of all election machineries functioning in Jharkhand to ensure that the people’s constitutional rights are ensured. No need to worry about any eligible citizen about his/her constitutional right as a voter.
There is a fear among the minorities that their names will be deleted.
SIR is to ensure the purification of electoral rolls. Over the period of time, there were some data accumulated in the electoral rolls, and there are some people who gave false declarations about their nationality, and their names figure in the electoral rolls. The names of voters falling into five categories — Absent, Permanently Shifted, Deceased, Duplicate, and Non-Indian will not be included in the draft publication of the electoral roll. There are legal and illegal foreign nationals living in India as well as in Jharkhand. Both categories, they are not eligible to register as voters. These two categories come under ‘refuse to sign the enumeration forms’, and it is very clear that the enumeration form is only for citizens of India. If you are a non-citizen, you have to return the enumeration form to the BLOs without a signature. So only these five category names would be removed, and all other names would be enrolled.
What are the steps being taken to maintain transparency in the SIR process?
The whole SIR process is designed in such a way that it is a transparent process. The transparent process is, in a sense, the first step in the participatory process. The political parties have participation from the BLO level as a BLA 2. So, 75,000 BLA 2 have been appointed at the booth level. Then from the ERO [Electoral Registration Officer] and DEO [District Election Officer]. The five categories list would be prepared in the participation of BLA 2. It would also be published at all polling stations, all panchayat bhavans, and it will also be available on the CEO and DEO websites. Hard copy will also be given to the political parties whose names are being removed because of the five categories, and they have the right to object to that also. In the final rolls, whenever it will be published, they can object. When the BLOs are moving in the field, the BLA 2 can also move along with them. It is a concurrent audit process. It will be open to the media and the public at large. No need to doubt the SIR process as far as transparency is concerned.
Opposition parties in Jharkhand often claim infiltrators are increasing in Santhal Pargana. Are there any special measures for the area?
I have made it very clear that the SIR process is only for the citizens of India, and foreign nationals living legally or illegally cannot participate. Giving a false declaration is a criminal offence. BLA 2 and political parties are engaged in all the stages, and whenever they find any issue, they can register the issue with the BLO, ERO, AERO and DEO. We are only concerned about the citizens of India, and if foreign nationals are living in Jharkhand legally or illegally, the concerned authority will look after it.
There are many migrant workers from Jharkhand working abroad. Is there any special measure taken?
If you are an Indian citizen living outside the country, you are entitled to register as a voter under Section 2A of the RP Act, 1950, and you have to submit the enumeration form. Living outside the country, they can submit the form online along with passport details, and any family member living in India can sign the form on his or her behalf, mentioning their relationship. They can also directly contact the BLO.
