Tharoor Stresses Need for Electoral Roll Updates
Senior Congress leader and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor on Sunday called the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise “essential,” noting that electoral rolls are not perfect.
Speaking to ANI, Tharoor said that past elections had repeatedly shown issues such as duplicate entries, dead voters, and voters with multiple addresses. He stressed that the ECI should address these challenges “in an open and transparent manner” to maintain credibility.
“Everyone who has participated in elections has known that the electoral rolls are not perfect. There are duplicates, dead voters, and people registered in more than one booth. These problems exist and, if they occur on a large scale, they need to be addressed,” Tharoor said.
Digital Tools Can Improve Process
Tharoor highlighted that technological advancements now make it possible to streamline electoral roll verification more effectively. With algorithms and digital cross-checking, he said, duplicate or outdated registrations can be flagged quickly.
“Fortunately, nowadays our digital technologies have improved so much that you can develop an algorithm to go through all the voter registrations, flag duplicates, and raise questions,” he noted.
He added that conducting an annual revision exercise could further improve transparency. “Maybe every year, even, we should revise. Let’s use modern computer technology and do it efficiently, so that no voter has doubts,” Tharoor explained.
Credibility of the Election Commission at Stake
Tharoor underlined that the credibility of the Election Commission depended on addressing such issues fairly. He urged the commission to respond to legitimate concerns raised by the opposition to ensure voter trust in India’s democratic process.
“It is in the interest of the Election Commission’s credibility that no voter should doubt the fairness of elections. While perfection may not be possible, fair responses to genuine concerns are vital,” he added.
His remarks come amid broader debates on electoral transparency, with opposition parties frequently flagging irregularities in voter rolls during state and national elections.
Support for GST Reform
Alongside electoral reform, Tharoor also welcomed the Centre’s recent changes to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) structure. He said the Congress had long advocated for reducing the number of tax slabs to simplify the system.
“We in the Congress party have been asking for this for many years. When there were four rates, it was confusing and unfair. Now I think it’s a much fairer system, and we hope it will be better for everyone,” Tharoor said.
The GST Council recently moved towards fewer tax rates, a step Tharoor described as a “move towards fairness” that could benefit businesses and consumers alike.
Kerala Congress Row “Over”
On the recent controversy surrounding a social media post by the Kerala Congress unit comparing ‘Bidi’ and ‘Bihar’, Tharoor dismissed the matter, saying it had already been resolved.
“That is over now. I don’t want to berate the point. It has been taken down, and whatever had to be said about that has already been said,” he added.
By drawing a line under the controversy, Tharoor shifted focus back to governance and policy matters, particularly the credibility of elections and tax reforms.
Looking Ahead
With general elections approaching, Tharoor’s call for transparent electoral roll revision resonates with opposition parties pressing for accountability. His support for GST reform, however, signals areas where bipartisan consensus may be possible.
Observers note that the Congress MP’s stance reflects a dual strategy: pressing for institutional accountability while also acknowledging constructive reforms.
As the Election Commission continues the Special Intensive Revision exercise, how effectively it leverages digital technology will be key to addressing public concerns about the accuracy of electoral rolls.