Odisha CM backs SIR exercise, says it is necessary for free and fair elections

At a time when the national capital is witnessing protests over the alleged exclusion of names from electoral rolls following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday (October 12, 2026) defended the exercise, describing it as necessary and constructive to uphold the integrity of the electoral system.

“The credibility of a democracy rests on free and fair elections and the protection of every eligible citizen’s right to vote. Clean and accurate electoral rolls are fundamental to this trust. Duplicate entries, outdated records and the names of deceased persons remaining on voter lists can compromise their accuracy,” Mr. Majhi wrote on ‘X’.

“Ensuring reliable electoral rolls is, therefore, not merely an administrative necessity, but essential to safeguarding electoral integrity and strengthening public confidence in democracy. The SIR is vital to ensuring that electoral rolls accurately reflect eligible voters,” he said.