BJP Nagaland has urged citizens to cooperate with the SIR of electoral rolls, saying the exercise aims to verify eligible voters and improve the accuracy and integrity of electoral rolls.
KOHIMA — The BJP Nagaland has appealed to citizens of the state to cooperate with the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, stating that the exercise is aimed at verifying and improving the accuracy and integrity of the electoral roll.
The appeal was made during a press conference at the BJP Nagaland headquarters in Kohima on Monday, addressed by the party’s chief spokesperson Kakuto Chishi and spokespersons Chitho Nyusou, Bendangyanger and Langyeliba Yingpithonger.
Chishi said the press conference was neither in support of nor against the SIR, but was intended to express support for the Election Commission of India (ECI) as an institution and not its individual members.
He said the BJP sought to allay what he described as “misgivings” surrounding the SIR, alleging that the Congress-led Opposition was spreading misinformation and misleading citizens about the exercise.
Chishi said there was a misconception that the SIR was an initiative of the BJP-led central government. He maintained that the ECI is an independent statutory body and that the revision exercise is intended to identify eligible electors and eliminate double or duplicate entries from electoral rolls.
According to him, the exercise is aimed at improving the electoral system by maintaining the accuracy and integrity of the rolls.
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“We cannot merely, on the basis of suspicion and apprehension, create a fear psychosis which does not exist at all in the minds of the innocent citizens,” Chishi said.
He pointed out that provisions exist for citizens to raise grievances through claims and objections and appeals, adding that the process is also subject to judicial review.
Chishi further accused the Opposition of creating doubts about the SIR and the ECI. He rejected allegations of irreconcilable differences among members of the ECI, describing the claim as baseless and unsupported by evidence.
He also criticised a report by The Indian Express, which he alleged had presented a “falsified article” suggesting differences of opinion within the ECI.
Maintaining that the government cannot interfere in or intervene in the functioning of the ECI, Chishi urged citizens of Nagaland to participate in the SIR exercise.
He appealed to citizens to cooperate with the revision process to ensure that eligible voters retain their voting rights and can participate in electing a “responsible” and “corruption-free” government.
Chishi also called upon Gen Z, whom he described as the future of the state, to actively participate in the electoral process, saying their participation could make a significant difference to governance.