Chandigarh, Oct 13 Punjab Congress chief Pargat Singh expressed dissatisfaction on Tuesday over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll, raising questions over the deletion of more than 13 lakh voters in the state.
If the names of eligible voters have been removed from the electoral roll, it would constitute a serious matter concerning their democratic rights, he said.
He demanded that the Election Commission (EC) clarify how many voters’ names have been deleted, the reasons behind the deletions and the steps being taken to protect the rights of eligible voters.
Punjab’s final electoral roll, published on Monday, recorded 2,01,00,727 voters — a decline of 13,60,316, or 6.33 per cent, from the 2,14,61,043 electors registered before the SIR.
However, the final count marked a 3.64-per cent increase over the 1,93,94,435 electors listed in the draft electoral roll published on August 13.
Singh said the right to vote is the foundation of democracy and any injustice in this regard will not be tolerated.
The Congress has consistently raised questions about the functioning of the EC to ensure transparency and accountability in the electoral process, Singh said while speaking to reporters here.
He stressed that every doubt concerning the electoral roll must be resolved impartially so that no eligible citizen is deprived of the right to vote.
The credibility of elections in a democracy can be maintained only when every eligible voter is guaranteed the full right to exercise their franchise.
The Punjab Congress chief also expressed concern over the law-and-order situation in the state in view of the killing of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa on Tuesday.
He alleged that under the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, the safety of ordinary citizens has become a matter of serious concern.
Referring to Jhota’s killing, Singh said it is the government’s responsibility to ensure the safety of those raising their voices against drugs.
Questioning the government’s anti-drug campaign — “Yudh Nasheyan Virudh” — he said the drug menace cannot be eradicated through announcements and publicity alone.
“The government must take effective action against drug supply chains and trafficking networks, while ensuring the safety of those speaking out against drugs,” he said.
Singh demanded the swift arrest of those responsible for Jhota’s killing, strict legal action against the perpetrators and concrete measures to restore law and order in Punjab.
(PTI News)
