GUWAHATI, Nov 12: Utpal Sharma demanded that a special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls be conducted in Assam and sought re-verification of the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
Sharma said Assam needed an accurate and clean voters’ list. He said the social and political situation in Assam differed from that in other states, and the need for SIR had gained importance after the issue came under discussion in Bihar and West Bengal.
“People of Assam had heard about SIR during the Assam Movement itself. Assam needs SIR and a clean voters’ list,” he said.
He alleged that the demand to delete the names of illegal foreign nationals from electoral rolls had been raised since the Assam Movement. He said the names of all illegal Bangladeshi citizens, irrespective of religion, should be removed from the voters’ list.
Sharma said the NRC should also be re-verified to protect the rights and future of Assam’s indigenous people. He added that the All Assam Students’ Union had submitted representations at different times in support of NRC re-verification.
SIR is a process under the Election Commission for comprehensive verification and revision of electoral rolls, including the addition of eligible voters and deletion of ineligible names.
