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Punjab Assembly passes resolution on voter rights, seeks probe into electoral roll errors

hellohimachalse@gmail.com 23 Oct 2026 1 hour ago

New Delhi: The Punjab Assembly on Friday unanimously passed a resolution seeking safeguards for eligible voters and an independent investigation into reported errors in electoral rolls. The move comes weeks after the completion of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and ahead of the state’s next Assembly election.

Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema moved the resolution, urging the Union Government and relevant constitutional authorities to ensure that no eligible citizen is denied the right to vote.

The issue has drawn attention in Punjab as concerns over electoral roll revisions continue to feature in political discussions. The resolution calls for a closer examination of reported discrepancies and measures to protect the voting rights of eligible citizens.

Cheema raises concerns over voter exclusion

Speaking in the Assembly, Cheema said the right to vote was central to India’s democratic system. He referred to Articles 324, 325 and 326 of the Constitution which deal with the Election Commission’s powers, non-discrimination in electoral rolls and the principle of adult suffrage.

The minister raised concerns over reports of large-scale deletions and the alleged exclusion of eligible voters during electoral roll revisions. He called for an independent and transparent mechanism to investigate complaints and fix accountability wherever violations are established.

Referring to controversies surrounding electoral rolls in Delhi and other states, Cheema alleged that complaints about the selective targeting of opposition supporters and marginalised communities needed impartial scrutiny. He said any criminal responsibility should be established through evidence and dealt with under the law.

The allegations have not been established by the passage of the resolution, which seeks further examination of the reported discrepancies.

Resolution to be sent to Centre and EC

The resolution received unanimous support in the House, bringing legislators from different parties together on the demand for safeguards for eligible voters.

It calls on the Union Government and constitutional authorities to look into the concerns raised over electoral rolls. Copies of the resolution are to be sent to the President, the Prime Minister and the Chief Election Commissioner for further action.

SIR debate continues ahead of Punjab polls

Although the SIR exercise has been completed, concerns over voter inclusion and the accuracy of electoral rolls remain a political issue in Punjab.

With the next Assembly election approaching, the resolution has renewed the focus on ensuring that eligible citizens can exercise their voting rights. Further scrutiny of the reported discrepancies and any steps taken by the relevant authorities will determine how the concerns raised in the Assembly are addressed.

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