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Priyanka Gandhi Slams SIR Phase-2: "Affront to Democracy" That Must Be Fought

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has strongly condemned the Special Intensive Revision Phase-2 as an affront to democracy. She expressed concerns about potential electoral fraud based on previous implementations in states like Bihar. The Congress MP emphasized the need for united opposition against the SIR process. Meanwhile, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee also criticized the revision as a method to exclude genuine voters.

Key Points: Priyanka Gandhi Calls SIR Phase-2 Affront to Democracy

  • Priyanka Gandhi warns SIR enables electoral fraud based on Bihar implementation
  • TMC's Abhishek Banerjee claims SIR excludes genuine voters from lists
  • Election Commission plans final voter list publication by February 7, 2026
  • Opposition parties unite against SIR Phase-2 across 12 states and UTs
3 min read

Affront to democracy...we have to fight it: Priyanka Gandhi refutes SIR Phase-2

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra strongly opposes SIR Phase-2, calling it electoral fraud and an affront to democracy that requires united opposition.

"It's only a way to commit fraud and cheat in elections... it is an affront to democracy, and we have to fight it - Priyanka Gandhi Vadra"

Malappuram, October 29

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday used strong words to express her objection to the announcement of the second phase of Special Intensive Revision of voter list and called it an "affront to democracy" and "only a way to commit fraud" in the elections.

The Congress MP emphasised the need to put up a united front to oppose the SIR.

"We are strongly opposed to it. It's only a way to commit fraud and cheat in elections. We have seen that before. We've seen what they've done in Bihar and how they have implemented the SIR over there. And if that's what they're going to do in every state, it is an affront to democracy, and we have to fight it," the Wayanad MP told reporters here.

Earlier on Tuesday, TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee reiterated that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) was a way to exclude voters from the voting list and deprive them of their voting rights.

He said that if the voting rights of genuine voters are snatched in West Bengal, then one lakh people will gherao the office of the Election Commission of India in New Delhi.

Addressing a press conference in Kolkata, Abhishek Banerjee said, "Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar has announced Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in West Bengal in the middle of Chhath festivities. The SIR is not actually revision, but it is a way to exclude voters from the list and deprive them of their voting rights. Earlier, people used to vote to decide the government but now the government is deciding who should vote. When SIR was done in 2002, it took two years. And now in two months they will do it."

The Election Commission of India (ECI) will conduct the second phase of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls across 12 States and Union Territories, with the final voter list to be published on February 7, 2026, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar said on Monday.

According to the Election Commission, printing and training will take place from October 28 to November 3, followed by an Enumeration Phase from November to December 4. The Draft Electoral Rolls will be published on December 9, followed by a claims and objection period from December 9 to January 8, 2026. The Notice Phase (for hearing and verification) will take place between December 9 and January 31, 202, with publication of Final Electoral Rolls on February 7, 2026.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
While I understand the concerns, isn't regular voter list revision necessary? The process seems systematic with proper timelines. Maybe we should wait and see how it's implemented rather than jumping to conclusions.
P
Priya S
Doing this during Chhath festivities shows complete disregard for people's religious sentiments. My family in Bihar faced issues last time - names went missing despite having all documents. This needs proper scrutiny!
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Arjun K
Every citizen should check their voter status regularly. Instead of just political statements, we need awareness campaigns to ensure no genuine voter is left out. Democracy is in our hands!
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Michael C
The timeline seems rushed - completing in 2 months what took 2 years earlier? This raises legitimate questions about the quality of verification. Proper voter list cleaning is good, but not at the cost of excluding genuine voters.
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Kavya N
Why are opposition parties so scared of voter list revision? If they have genuine voters, they should welcome proper verification. Clean electoral rolls benefit everyone. Let's trust the EC process.

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