Indian Parliament Winter Session: Opposition Demands Debate on Electoral Rolls Revision Amid BLO Death Concerns

The winter session of parliament will commence on Monday with significant controversy already brewing.

New Delhi:

Discussion demands regarding the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls dominated today's all-party meeting convened by the government ahead of tomorrow's winter session commencement.

Opposition representatives called for thorough parliamentary debate on this issue, expressing serious concerns about alleged overwork and deaths among booth level officers (BLOs). The Election Commission's decision to extend SIR timelines by seven days across 12 states and Union Territories has prompted multiple parties to question the practicality of the original schedule.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju characterized the meeting as positive and constructive, noting participation from 36 parties and 50 leaders. He acknowledged many opposition leaders requested SIR discussions but emphasized that only the business advisory committee has authority to determine parliament's agenda.

According to Rijiju, no party explicitly stated intentions to obstruct the session, though some warned potential disruptions might occur if SIR debates are denied. He expressed the government's willingness to engage with opposition viewpoints and appealed against blocking parliamentary proceedings merely due to disagreements on specific matters.

Congress MP Pramod Tiwari stated that virtually every opposition party demanded SIR discussions, arguing that the timeline extension demonstrates the Election Commission's inability to meet its own targets. He noted opposition parties had repeatedly cautioned against rushing the process and accused the government of avoiding scrutiny. Tiwari additionally called for the Prime Minister's attendance during the Winter Session.

CPI(M) MP John Brittas pointed out that the seven-day extension indicates SIR implementation issues. Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav raised alarms regarding stress among BLOs, claiming to possess a suicide note from an officer who complained about excessive workload.

Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee delivered a harsh critique of both the government and Election Commission. He highlighted multiple BLO suicides, describing the situation as a serious matter requiring urgent parliamentary examination. Banerjee alleged the Commission now prioritizes voter name removal over registering new voters.

Banerjee characterized such all-party meetings as merely ceremonial events where government officials listen but take no substantive action. He questioned the government's resistance to SIR discussions and criticized Union Home Minister Amit Shah's statements regarding infiltrators, challenging how many such cases were identified in Bihar.

Shiromani Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal expressed support for issues collectively raised by opposition parties.

Regional parties presented divided perspectives on SIR. TDP MP Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu defended the Election Commission, noting that parties avoiding consultation meetings with the commission frequently raise subsequent objections.

JDU's national executive president Sanjay Jha criticized opposition parties for unnecessarily politicizing SIR. He reported that Bihar completed the entire process within a month without complaints and noted that the previous parliamentary session was similarly disrupted by comparable objections.

Earlier today, the Election Commission revised SIR deadlines across all 12 states and Union Territories. The enumeration period now extends until December 11, draft rolls will be published December 16, and claims/objections can be filed through January 15. The notice and hearing phase continues until February 7, with the final electoral roll publication scheduled for February 14.