CPI(M), Congress raise alarm over 'rushed' voter roll revision ahead of local polls
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): The ruling CPI(M) and opposition Congress in Kerala on Monday strongly opposed the Election Commission's decision to launch the second phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, warning that the move, coming just ahead of local body elections, could disrupt the democratic process.
The Election Commission announced on Monday that the SIR will be carried out between November and February in 12 states and Union Territories, including Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and West Bengal -- all of which will face assembly elections in 2026.
In a statement, the CPI(M) state secretariat said the BJP-ruled Centre was "trying to subvert India's democratic system by turning the Election Commission into a puppet."
The party demanded that the Union government withdraw from what it described as an "attempt to undermine the country's democratic system".
It accused the Union government of "rushing" the SIR in Kerala with "ulterior motives" and warned that the exercise, based on voter rolls from 2002–2004, could disenfranchise more than 50 lakh voters.
"The Commission has ignored Kerala's scientifically prepared voter list and frozen the existing rolls at midnight on Monday," the party said, calling the decision "illegal and undemocratic."
The CPI(M) added that the timing of the revision -- when the state is preparing for local body polls -- was "a deliberate attempt to interfere with the democratic process."
KPCC president and MLA Sunny Joseph echoed the criticism, calling the SIR decision "unilateral and irrational."
He said, "It is senseless to begin this process when preparations for local body elections are under way. The Election Commission must reconsider its decision."
Joseph said the Chief Electoral Officer had written to the Central Election Commission outlining the practical difficulties raised by opposition parties, but received no reply.
"This effectively denies citizens their democratic right to vote," he said. "It is unclear why people who have been on the rolls for 23 years are being asked to go through the registration process again."
LDF convener T P Ramakrishnan also called EC's decision to proceed with the SIR of electoral rolls "deeply undemocratic."
He said the poll panel, which should protect citizens' voting rights, was instead taking steps that could disenfranchise lakhs of voters and seemed aimed at serving the Sangh Parivar’s political interests.
Ramakrishnan said the Commission's reply on the Kerala local body voter list was “highly disturbing” and urged people to resist any move that undermines the electoral process.
Both the Congress and the Left demanded that the Special Intensive Revision be deferred until after the local body elections, and that the existing voter list -- which they described as transparent and scientifically prepared -- be used as the base document for future updates.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
2nd WT20I: Shafali, spin trio do star turns in India''s seven-wicket win
Visakhapatnam (PTI): Shafali Verma hit a blistering unbeaten 69 as India made short work of a paltry target to outclass Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the second Women’s T20 International here on Tuesday.
India now lead the five-match series 2-0 after another one-sided victory, having restricted Sri Lanka to a modest 128 for 9 through a collective display of disciplined bowling from the spin trio of seasoned Sneh Rana, ably complemented by young spinners Vaishnavi Sharma and Shree Charani.
During the chase, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana (14) fell cheaply but Shafali, enjoying new found confidence after a stellar show in the World Cup final, sent the bowlers on a leather-hunt during her 34-ball knock, winning it for her team in just 11.5 overs.
The hosts have now completed back-to-back successful chases within 15 overs which speaks volumes about the unit's sky-high confidence.
Shafali's innings had 11 punchy boundaries apart from a maximum.
The floodgates opened when left-arm spinner Inoka Ranaweera bowled a few flighted deliveries and Shafali would step out everytime to hit her over extra cover. Her footwork against slow bowlers was immaculate whether stepping out to loft the ball or rocking back to punch or pull.
Seeing her confidence, the newly appointed Delhi Capitals skipper Jemimah Rodrigues (26 off 15 balls) also attacked as the duo added 58 runs in just 4.3 overs.
By the time Rodrigues was out trying to hit one six too many, the match as a contest was over. Shafali completed her half-century off just 27 balls and completed the formalities in a jiffy.
Earlier, off-spinner Rana, who got a look-in after Deepti Sharma was ruled out due to fever, showed her utility keeping the Lankan batters under tight leash with figures of 1 for 11 in 4 overs, including a maiden which certainly is a rarity in T20 cricket.
Charani, who made an impression during India's ODI World Cup triumph, took 2 for 23 in her quota of overs, while Vaishnavi after an impressive debut in the opening encounter, finished with 2 for 32, not letting the Islanders get easy runs in her second spell.
The last six wickets fell for just 24 runs, but what stood out during India’s bowling effort was their superb ground fielding. After a patchy show in the previous game, the improved sharpness in the field resulted in three run-outs.
Sri Lankan skipper Chamari Athapaththu (31 off 24 balls) looked in good nick as she deposited length deliveries from seamers Kranti Gaud and Arundhati Reddy over the ropes but it was Rana, who kept her quiet by repeatedly pitching on good length.
Unable to manoeuvre the strike and with the big hits suddenly drying up, Athapaththu chanced her arm at another delivery in which Rana had shortened the length slightly.
Not having transferred the weight into the lofted shot, Athapaththu's hoick was pouched cleanly by Amanjot Kaur at long-off.
This was after Athapaththu's opening partner Vishmi Gunaratne (1) had offered a simple return catch to Gaud.
Hasini Perera (22 off 28 balls) and Harshitha Samarawickrama (33 off 32 balls) did stitch a stand of 44 but they could never set the tempo against the Indian spin troika.
Once Hasini offered a tame return catch off a Charani full-toss, Sri Lankans never recovered and lost wickets in a heap towards the end.
