During a Lok Sabha debate on electoral reforms on Wednesday, Sikkim MP Indra Hang Subba urged the Centre to adopt a careful and sensitive approach in implementing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in states with smaller populations such as Sikkim. He said that even minor changes in voter numbers could significantly impact election outcomes in the state due to its limited voter base.
Subba underlined the need for precision, transparency, and accountability throughout the process—from registration to verification—while tailoring reforms to Sikkim’s unique geographical and demographic conditions. He added that the state’s remote and hilly terrain presents structural challenges that must be taken into account while carrying out electoral roll revisions and while considering Lok Sabha representation.
He said that while SIR is an important step to strengthen electoral systems, states with smaller populations require extra caution to ensure that reforms build public trust and encourage wider participation without overlooking their specific realities.
The debate also witnessed a heated exchange between Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over allegations of “vote chori” (voter fraud). Rahul Gandhi questioned Shah on the allegations made in his previous press conferences, while Shah defended the SIR exercise as a necessary step to “sanitize the voter list,” accusing the opposition of resisting changes out of electoral concerns.
Shah said the BJP rarely faces anti-incumbency because it works in public interest, asserting that election results are not influenced by voter list revisions. Rahul Gandhi interrupted to reiterate his demand for a detailed discussion on alleged voter fraud, but Shah responded that parliamentary proceedings would not be dictated by individual demands.
The Lok Sabha discussion brought into focus the contrasting political positions on electoral reforms and the distinct challenges faced by small states like Sikkim during voter roll revision exercises.
