Nobel laureate economist Amartya Sen has expressed serious concern over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal, warning that the process is being carried out in undue haste and could undermine democratic participation ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections.
Speaking to news agency PTI from Boston, Sen said that while revising voter rolls can strengthen democracy if done carefully, the current exercise in Bengal lacks adequate time and fairness. He argued that many eligible voters may struggle to submit required documents within tight deadlines, potentially leading to wrongful exclusion from the voters’ list.
Sharing his personal experience, Sen revealed that even he faced difficulties during the SIR process. Officials questioned his right to vote from his home constituency of Santiniketan where he has voted earlier and raised queries about discrepancies related to his late mother’s age at the time of his birth. Sen noted that despite his details being available in official records, he was asked to provide additional documentation.
He highlighted a broader concern for citizens born in rural areas who often lack formal birth certificates or easy access to documents. “I was able to manage with help from friends, but many others may not be so fortunate,” Sen said, stressing that the poor and underprivileged are most vulnerable to being excluded due to rigid documentation requirements.
Sen also cautioned that minority communities could face additional challenges in securing their voting rights, calling for vigilance by the Election Commission and the Supreme Court to ensure that no eligible adult is denied the right to vote.
While refraining from directly accusing any political party of benefiting, Sen said he had heard claims that under-counting could favour certain groups, but stressed that the core issue is protecting the integrity of India’s democracy.
At 92, Sen said he remains keen to vote in the Bengal elections, subject to his professional commitments abroad, reaffirming his long-standing commitment to civic duty.
