The Election Commission announced the Special Intensive Revision schedule for 12 states and Union Territories, but Assam was excluded from this round. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar explained that Assam has separate provisions in India's citizenship laws and the Supreme Court-monitored National Register of Citizens process is nearing conclusion. He stated that the June 24 SIR order, applicable nationwide, does not apply to Assam, and separate revision instructions will be issued later. This decision sparked political debate between the BJP and Congress. The BJP welcomed the decision, while Congress questioned the reasoning, pointing out that the NRC process remains incomplete. The Assam government had earlier informed the EC that the NRC, being unique to the state, should be factored into timelines and eligibility documents for the voter revision exercise whenever it takes place.
Political Reactions and NRC Uncertainties
BJP spokesperson Rupam Goswami welcomed the SIR whenever the EC decides to conduct it in Assam. However, Congress Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia criticized the decision, stating the NRC process is far from concluded. He noted that claims for inclusion by those rejected must still occur, which has not even started. Saikia accused the EC of acting as an agent of the ruling party, citing the 2023 delimitation process that compressed minority voters into 22 highly populated constituencies. The NRC has been stuck since 2019, when the draft excluded 19.6 lakh of 3.3 crore applicants. The state government considers the current list erroneous, claiming it excludes indigenous people while including foreigners who entered after the March 24, 1971 cut-off date.
Source: Link