Jaipur: Congress National General Secretary, former Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister, and Tonk MLA Sachin Pilot on Wednesday said that removing the names of eligible voters from electoral rolls is unjust and unacceptable, asserting that it is the constitutional responsibility of the Election Commission of India to safeguard the voting rights of every citizen.
Addressing a meeting of Congress party Booth Level Officers (BLOs) deployed for vigilance during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Tonk, Pilot said the Election Commission must ensure that no eligible citizen is deprived of the right to vote under any circumstances.
“The right to vote is our greatest democratic asset, and any attempt to take it away will not be tolerated,” he said.
Pilot expressed concern over reports emerging from various parts of the country alleging that BLOs are being subjected to undue pressure to add or delete names from electoral rolls to serve political interests.
He claimed that such pressure has created an atmosphere of fear and stress among election officials and alleged that, in some cases, it has driven BLOs to take extreme steps.
“This is a very serious matter and must be addressed with sensitivity and accountability,” he said.
Referring to alleged irregularities in electoral rolls, Pilot said these issues had been raised with evidence by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, adding that developments during the Bihar elections have raised questions about the impartiality and functioning of the Election Commission.
“In such circumstances, it becomes even more important for citizens and political workers to remain vigilant to protect the sanctity of the electoral process,” he said.
Commending the work of BLOs in Tonk, Pilot praised their courage, restraint, determination, and vigilance during the ongoing revision exercise.
He said their role is crucial in maintaining transparency and fairness in elections.
“The work does not end until the final publication of the electoral rolls. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that the name of not a single eligible voter is deleted due to lack of documents or administrative lapses,” he said.
Pilot urged party workers to remain alert throughout the revision process and to assist voters in resolving documentation-related issues, ensuring that democratic rights are protected and strengthened.
(IANS)
