Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Mar 15: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Sunday strongly defended the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, conducted in around a dozen states, while announcing the schedule for upcoming assembly elections in West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and the Union Territory of Puducherry.

“Pure electoral rolls are the bedrock of free and fair elections. The SIR was conducted to ensure that no eligible elector is left out and no ineligible elector is included in rolls,” said Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar during a press briefing.

Accompanied by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, the CEC highlighted that the elections reflect India’s diverse cultural and geographical landscape. He urged all citizens, particularly first-time voters, to actively participate, describing elections as a “festival of democracy.”

“You are about to step into one of the most important roles of life. I urge you to participate in the democratic exercise and cast your vote,” he added.

The ECI statement comes a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a rally in ","Kolkata"], accusing the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) of trying to protect “infiltrators” during the recent SIR process.

In response, TMC has moved an impeachment motion against the CEC, alleging bias in the SIR exercise, with the notice submitted in both Houses of Parliament and supported by opposition parties.