Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
Credit: PTI Photo
New Delhi: Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Saturday said the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is presently being conducted "smoothly" in 12 states and Union territories and it will be rolled out in the remaining states “soon”.
In his message on the eve of the Election Commission's foundation day, also celebrated as National Voters' Day, he said the SIR was initiated as pure electoral rolls are the "bedrock of democracy".
"This exercise has been successfully completed in Bihar and is presently being smoothly conducted in 12 states and union territories...It will soon be rolled out in the remaining States as well," he said. A 'Special Revision' of electoral rolls is separately underway in Assam, he said.
He said the "most compelling testament to the success" of the SIR in Bihar was that not a single appeal was filed against the final electoral roll, establishing its sanctity and credibility.
Elections conducted on this strong foundation proved historic, recording the highest voter turnout since 1951 at 67.13 per cent, with women electors registering an unprecedented participation rate of 71.78%, he added.
Calling upon all voters to vote without fail and become ambassadors of democracy themselves, he asked the young voters to lead the fight against misinformation, disinformation, and false narratives.
"For this, it is essential that they remain fully informed about electoral processes and the various initiatives of the EC, and actively disseminate accurate information among their friends, families, and communities," he said.
"The first step in the service of the nation is voting. Therefore, every citizen of India who has attained the age of 18 years must enroll as an elector and must exercise their right to vote," he added.