Bhubaneswar, October 12: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday defended the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, describing it as essential for ensuring free and fair elections and strengthening public confidence in democracy.

In a post on X, Majhi said accurate electoral rolls are crucial to protecting every eligible citizen’s right to vote. He noted that the SIR helps identify discrepancies, remove duplicate entries, update records of deceased voters and those who have changed residences, while ensuring no eligible voter is wrongfully excluded.

He emphasised that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is vital to ensuring that electoral rolls accurately reflect eligible voters. It helps identify discrepancies, eliminate duplicate entries, update records following deaths or changes in residence, and ensure that eligible voters are not left 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 stressed that the exercise must be conducted fairly and with due diligence to uphold electoral integrity, equal representation and the sanctity of every vote.

Majhi’s remarks come amid ongoing political debate over the Election Commission of India’s nationwide SIR exercise. The final electoral roll published in Odisha recorded approximately 3.16 crore electors.