UDHAMPUR: As part of the nationwide *‘Citizens for Democracy’* outreach under the *‘Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao’* campaign, a comprehensive awareness programme on Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls was organised at Manwal in Udhampur East constituency. The programme witnessed the participation of hundreds of people, including party cadres, prominent citizens, social representatives, social media influencers and intellectually inclined members of civil society, who engaged in detailed deliberations on various aspects of the SIR exercise.
Addressing the gathering, Ranbir Singh Pathania, MLA Udhampur East, elaborately explained the rationale, constitutional framework and procedural safeguards associated with the Special Intensive Revision. He emphasised that an accurate and updated electoral roll is the foundation of a credible democratic process and that SIR is intended to ensure that every eligible citizen finds a place in the voters' list while ineligible, duplicate, deceased and shifted entries are identified through a prescribed verification mechanism.
Pathania explained that the exercise involves door-to-door verification by Booth Level Officers, participation of Booth Level Agents representing political parties, publication of draft electoral rolls and adequate opportunities for objections, corrections and appeals. He also highlighted the role of the Election Commission and the respective Chief Electoral Officers in ensuring transparency and accountability throughout the process.
Addressing the concerns and misconceptions surrounding SIR, he explained the distinction between preliminary identification of entries and actual deletion from electoral rolls. He stressed that the figures being circulated in public discourse need to be understood in their proper procedural context and that citizens should rely on official records rather than misleading interpretations.
He further observed that electoral roll revision is not a new exercise and has been undertaken at different points in India's electoral history. The present debate, he said, should be centred on the integrity of electoral rolls, constitutional procedures and the right of every eligible voter, rather than being reduced to political confrontation.
Taking a broader view of the ongoing political discourse, Pathania cautioned against attempts to turn legitimate democratic disagreement into street-level confrontation and mobocracy. He said that democracy is sustained by constitutional institutions, informed public participation, reasoned debate and respect for established procedures, not by manufactured agitation or the politics of disruption.
He called upon citizens, particularly the youth, intellectuals and social media influencers, to understand the process, examine facts and disseminate accurate information. He added that the *‘Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao’* campaign seeks to encourage informed civic participation and strengthen public confidence in democratic institutions.
Prominent among those present included Anil Sharma, Shiv Ram, Subhash Chander and Ranjeet Singh (all General Secretaries); Ravi Padha (Vice President); Gopal Singh Mankotia, Hem Raj Gupta, Showkat Ali, Faqir Chand, Som Nath, Uttam Singh, Suram Chand, Purani Devi, Deepa Rani, Kuldip Singh, Haji Mohd Din besides a large number of local residents, party workers and other prominent citizens.
