Panaji: Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday backed the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, saying the names of deceased persons and those who are not Indian citizens should not remain on voter lists.
Addressing the 'Seva Ki Kahani' programme organised by the Goa government in Ponda, he questioned the objections being raised over the electoral roll revision exercise.
"If there is a wrong name in the voter list, if a person is no longer alive, should his name remain on the voter list? Should it be removed? If someone is not a citizen of India, should his name remain on the electoral roll?" the Agriculture Minister asked the crowd.
Chouhan's remarks came amid a political debate over the SIR exercise and claims concerning deletion of names from electoral rolls.
The Election Commission has said the objective of the SIR is to ensure that "no eligible citizen is left out while no ineligible person is included" in the electoral roll.
The Union minister accused the Congress of raising questions over the Election Commission's credibility when it loses elections, while accepting the poll process when it wins.
He also hit out at the Congress' 'Save Democracy' campaign, accusing the party of having undermined democracy during the Emergency imposed in 1975.
"Democracy is not in danger. If anyone committed the sin of crushing democracy, it was the Congress," Chouhan said, referring to the Emergency and the imprisonment of political opponents.
He alleged that the Congress was now using the 'Save Democracy' campaign to protect the party and its leadership.
The Election Commission's SIR exercise covers Goa, among other states, and Union Territories, with the poll panel providing mechanisms for electors to search their names and submit documents or applications relating to their electoral registration.
Chouhan also urged people of Goan to support Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant for the development of the state and the country.
