Agartala, 8th August 2026 : Former Tripura Chief Minister and CPI(M) leader Manik Sarkar has called for strict vigilance during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process to ensure that no genuine voter is excluded and all eligible citizens are enrolled.
Sarkar said the names of genuine voters who had exercised their franchise in the past and are still alive must not be removed from the electoral roll under any circumstances. At the same time, those who have attained the age of 18 must be included so that neither the elderly nor the youth are deprived of their fundamental voting rights.
“Our primary demand is this: the names of genuine voters—those who have voted previously and are still alive—must not be excluded from the electoral roll under any circumstances. Similarly, those who have already turned eighteen must have their names included,” Sarkar said.
He alleged that in several states there have been concerns over attempts to exclude members of minority communities and working-class people, particularly those who have raised their voices against government policies affecting their interests. Referring to reports from states such as Bihar and West Bengal, Sarkar said concerns had also been raised over the exclusion of people belonging to Scheduled Castes and poorer sections of society.
He urged political parties, their leaders and support staff involved in the revision exercise to remain vigilant and ensure transparency throughout the process.
Sarkar also called upon the Election Department to discharge its responsibilities impartially. “The Election Department, which oversees and controls this entire process, must remain alert and conscious of the issue; they must act impartially and above criticism to ensure that every eligible voter’s name is included,” he said.
Highlighting a specific concern, Sarkar said newly married women who have shifted to their in-laws’ homes during the revision period should not be left out of the electoral roll. He stressed that officials should verify their details through proper communication with the women and their families, including information about their place of birth and parental family, so that their names can be included without obstruction or malpractice.
