BJD Protests 9.8 Lakh Voter Deletions Ahead of SIR in Odisha
BJD Protests 9.8 Lakh Voter Deletions Ahead of SIR in Odisha
BJD stages protest in Odisha over 9.8 lakh voter deletions ahead of SIR, urging verification to prevent disenfranchisement.
In Odisha, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) staged a protest on April 22, 2026, submitting a memorandum to the Chief Electoral Officer over the deletion of 9.8 lakh voters' names from the electoral rolls ahead of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). The party warned that while periodic revision is essential for a credible democratic process, the current deletions raise serious concerns about potential disenfranchisement of eligible voters. They urged the CEO to ensure that eligible voters are not disenfranchised and to review the revision process for transparency and accuracy.
Odisha's electoral authorities have directed verification of the deletions before finalizing any changes, with reports noting a pause in scrutiny of around 2 lakh cases amid complaints of wrongful removals. The development comes as parties and MPs press for greater clarity and safeguards during the SIR ahead of elections, emphasizing the need for a clean, credible rolls exercise.
A BJD MP has also urged the Election Commission to address the concerns raised by the party, calling the scale and pattern of deletions a matter of serious and substantive concern. The episode highlights the ongoing tension between maintaining up-to-date rolls and protecting voters' rights, underscoring the importance of transparency in the revision process as Odisha prepares for future electoral contests.
Overall, the situation points to the critical need for meticulous verification and oversight to prevent disenfranchisement while ensuring the integrity of the Special Intensive Revision and the broader electoral process.
