A round table meeting at the MB Vignana Kendram in Vijayawada on Sunday (November 16) opposed the conduct of Special Intensive Review (SIR) of electoral rolls in Andhra Pradesh, calling it “unconstitutional, unnecessary and dangerous to democratic rights”.
Representatives of CPI(M), CPI, YSRCP, civil society groups and social organizations participated.
A resolution passed in the meeting expressed deep concern that the Election Commission is preparing to introduce SIR even as the matter remains pending in the Supreme Court.
The leaders alleged that starting booth-level preparations without any official notification violates the Representation of the People Act. They demanded that the Election Commission should immediately stop all SIR exercises in the state and call an all-party meeting.
Speakers cited the example of Bihar, where nearly 65 thousand names were reportedly deleted during the SIR, disproportionately affecting the poor, migrant workers, minorities and those opposed to ruling parties. They said similar irregularities were reported from Haryana and Karnataka, where thousands of “fake votes” were allegedly added. Despite these revelations, the Election Commission has not taken corrective action, they said.
CPM state secretary V Srinivasa Rao said the SIR process had raised serious doubts, especially as migrant workers in Bihar lost their voting rights while new votes were allegedly added elsewhere. He questioned why the Election Commission in Andhra Pradesh was eager to implement SIR despite no notification being issued.
YSRCP leader Saake Shailajanath said the move was aimed at disenfranchising the weaker sections. He recalled that in previous elections, discrepancies of up to 48 million votes were reported between polled and counted votes. He said the constitutional right to vote cannot be taken away under any circumstances.
The Round Table decided to mobilize public opinion and resist any unconstitutional attempt to introduce SIR in Andhra Pradesh.
Published – 16 Nov 2025 19:04 IST
