Constitution empowers Election Commission to prepare electoral rolls & SIR is its responsibility: HM Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah today supported the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, stressing that the Constitution guarantees the Election Commission to prepare the electoral rolls. He said the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is the responsibility of the Election Commission, and it is intended to purify the electoral rolls.

Refuting the allegations of opposition on SIR during the discussion on the Election Reforms in the Lok Sabha today, Mr Shah alleged that the opposition, especially the Congress, has spread lies on the SIR issue and is tarnishing the image of the country, government and Election Commission. Mr Shah reiterated that the Election Commission does not work under the government.

During his reply to the discussion, the Home Minister came down heavily on the opposition, accusing them of adopting double standards on the SIR.

He said, when the opposition wins an election, they do not raise questions, but when they concede defeat, they start questioning the integrity of the Election Commission as well as the election process. He said the NDA’s policy is to detect, delete and deport intruders, while the opposition’s policy is to normalise these intruders by adding them to the voter list.