Elections are not just about casting votes. They are about trust. And that trust begins with accurate voter lists. If the numbers are wrong, democracy itself becomes shaky.
In Bihar’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR), nearly 68 lakh names were deleted and 21 lakh new voters added. Why such a huge change? Because many names on the old list were of people who had moved away, died, or were listed twice. Keeping such ghost voters only weakens elections. Cleaning the rolls makes them stronger.
But the Election Commission has a duty: it must not only act fairly, it must be seen acting fairly. People must clearly know whose names were cut, why they were cut, and how they can get their names back if wrongly deleted. The Supreme Court has rightly stepped in, asking the Commission to publish the details and accept Aadhaar or other documents for quick re-inclusion.
The Opposition has cried foul, claiming poor and migrant voters were unfairly removed. Criticism is fine, but loose charges without evidence damage faith in elections. If there is real proof, the Opposition should bring it out and go to court. That is how democracy works. Simply shouting “disenfranchisement” only creates fear and confusion.
Is former Member of Punjab Public Service Commission
A farmer and keen observer of current affairs
At the same time, the Commission must open its process, use technology like SMS alerts and mobile apps, and make sure no voter is left in the dark. Transparency is not optional — it is essential.
Finally, voters must know: revision of rolls is not a one-time act. Rolls are updated every year, with names added even days before nominations close. SIR is just a deeper audit, and Bihar badly needed one. Other states will follow suit.
The lesson is simple: clean lists, open processes, and responsible politics. Without accurate numbers, democracy falters before the first vote is cast.