SIR Sparks Political Controversy in Rajasthan; Congress Terms Move 'Attack on Democracy'

The declaration of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Rajasthan's voter list has ignited a political storm. State Election Officer Naveen Mahajan declared that the SIR will be held in the state from October 28, 2025, to February 7, 2026. With the declaration of SIR in the state, the Congress party questioned the process. Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, reacting first to the matter, said that the SIR process was conducted nearly 20 years ago, but there was no opposition. Now, the Election Commission itself has created an atmosphere that has raised doubts among the public. While the SIR process is being heard in the Supreme Court, proceeding with SIR in 12 states does not seem appropriate. Voting rights were granted to everyone from the first day of the Constitution's implementation in India. In countries like the United States and Britain, it took decades for women and Black people to gain voting rights. SIR has raised fears among the public that voting rights will be taken away.

State Congress President Govind Singh Dotasara also stated this. He said, "The BJP can hatch as many conspiracies as it wants... but the public will give them a befitting reply with their votes and democracy! The decision to implement the SIR (Special Intensive Revision) process in Rajasthan is a direct attack on democratic rights. In the name of improving the voter list, there is a conspiracy to cut off the votes of Dalits, tribals, backward classes, and minorities." In fact, the BJP fears defeat in the Panchayat and Municipal elections. Therefore, they are initially promoting "One State, One Election" and now, under the guise of SIR, they are delaying elections to snatch the votes of the poor. Voter lists will be frozen, and the final voter list will be published by February 7th next year. The entire machinery will be engaged in SIR, and during this time, OBC enumeration will not be possible. This clearly indicates that, as intended by the government, Panchayat and Municipal elections will not be held until May-June next year, after the budget, a move the Congress party has consistently opposed. Not holding elections after the completion of the five-year term is a blatant violation of the Constitution.

Training and printing of enumeration forms will take place from October 28th to November 3rd. Enumeration forms will be distributed and collected door-to-door from November 4th to December 4th. The draft voter list will be published on December 9th. Claims and objections will be accepted from December 9th to January 8th. Hearings and verification will take place in the notice phase from December 9th to January 31st. The final voter list will be published on February 7, 2026. According to the current voter list, there are a total of 54.8 million voters in the state. Of these, 77% of the mapping of approximately 26.1 million voters over the age of 40 has been completed. Mapping of 28.8 million voters under the age of 40 is in progress. 52,469 Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will fill out the counting forms.

CEO Mahajan stated that all Divisional Commissioners, District Election Officers, and Registration Officers have been directed. Emphasis has been placed on reorganizing polling stations, training BLOs and observers, informing political parties, media management, promoting online form filling, and publishing IEC materials.

Training of BLOs, volunteers, and helpdesk personnel has been completed, and refresher sessions will be held soon. Political parties will be briefed on the process, and impartiality will be ensured. Media cells have been established at the district level, with only the District Election Officer (DEO) as the authorized spokesperson.