'Casting doubt on entire citizenry': Priyanka Chaturvedi slams ECI
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi slams the Election Commission for arbitrary voter deletions under the Special Intensive Revision exercise.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi has launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission of India (ECI), describing the recent removal of voters from electoral rolls as "arbitrary" and "shameful." The controversy stems from the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, which has seen a massive scale of scrutiny regarding voter eligibility.
Massive Scrutiny Under SIR Exercise
Speaking to ANI, Chaturvedi raised serious questions regarding the methodology used by electoral authorities to strike off names. She highlighted that the scale of the operation is unprecedented, noting that over 13 crore names have been placed under scrutiny or removed from the voter lists.
"The question is how these names were struck off and in what arbitrary manner people have been made to stand in queues," Chaturvedi stated. She argued that the current process is effectively casting doubt on the entire citizenry, making them feel as though their right to vote might be unconstitutional.
Personal Grievances and Burden of Proof
The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader shared her personal experience to illustrate the growing suspicion being cast upon Indian citizens. She mentioned that her own family members were required to appear in person to produce documentation to prove their citizenship.
While she clarified that she has no objection to the verification process itself, she expressed deep concern over the manner in which it is being conducted. "My entire family has been told that you personally have to come to prove whether you are a citizen of the country or not; you will have to show documents," she said, questioning the justification for such widespread suspicion.
Rahul Gandhi Alleges 'Vote Theft'
The controversy gained further momentum following a visit by the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, to Bela Estate in Delhi. Gandhi interacted with residents to hear their grievances regarding the mass deletion of names from the voter list.
Gandhi presented a stark example of the alleged irregularities, claiming that in a community of 728 residents, 727 names had been struck off following the SIR process. He noted that these residents have lived in the area for decades and had successfully participated in both the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and the 2025 Delhi elections.
"This isn't SIR – this is a method of vote theft," Gandhi alleged during his visit. He pointed out a contradiction in the process, noting that while Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has previously stated that 'House Number 0' is designated for the homeless, many residents in the area are being disenfranchised despite remaining in their homes even after previous demolition drives.
Gandhi emphasized during his interaction that the possession of a permanent house should have no bearing on an individual's fundamental right to vote.