Odisha CM backs SIR exercise, says it is necessary for free and fair elections

At a time when the national capital is witnessing protests over the alleged exclusion of names from electoral rolls following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday (October 12, 2026) defended the exercise, describing it as necessary and constructive to uphold the integrity of the electoral system.

“The credibility of a democracy rests on free and fair elections and the protection of every eligible citizen’s right to vote. Clean and accurate electoral rolls are fundamental to this trust. Duplicate entries, outdated records and the names of deceased persons remaining on voter lists can compromise their accuracy,” Mr. Majhi wrote on ‘X’.

“Ensuring reliable electoral rolls is, therefore, not merely an administrative necessity, but essential to safeguarding electoral integrity and strengthening public confidence in democracy. The SIR is vital to ensuring that electoral rolls accurately reflect eligible voters,” he said.

“It helps identify discrepancies, eliminate duplicate entries, update records following deaths or changes in residence, and ensure that eligible voters are not left out,” Mr. Majhi pointed out.

“Equally, the process must protect every legitimate voter from wrongful exclusion. These are not minor administrative details; they go to the heart of electoral fairness, equal representation and the sanctity of every vote,” he wrote on X.

Stating that SIR is a necessary and constructive exercise to uphold the integrity of our electoral system, Odisha CM asserted that its effective implementation, with fairness and due diligence, will help ensure that electoral records remain reliable and that the democratic process commands the confidence it deserves.