Agartala: Former Tripura Chief Minister and CPI(M) leader Manik Sarkar on Saturday urged the Election Department to ensure that no eligible voter is excluded from the electoral rolls during the upcoming Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in the state.
Sarkar’s remarks came a day after the state Election Department announced that the SIR exercise would begin in Tripura from September 5, 2026.
Speaking to reporters, Sarkar stressed that people who had exercised their franchise in previous elections should not have their names removed from the electoral rolls without proper consideration and verification. At the same time, he called for the inclusion of young citizens who have attained the eligible voting age.
“The voters who had been able to cast their votes in the previous elections shouldn’t have their names deleted from the electoral rolls,” Sarkar said.
He maintained that special attention should be given to both elderly electors and newly eligible young voters so that no genuine voter is deprived of the opportunity to exercise the franchise.
Referring to SIR exercises undertaken in other states, Sarkar alleged that the process had created difficulties for certain sections of voters in some places, including members of minority communities, Scheduled Castes and economically weaker sections. Citing Bihar and West Bengal, he urged election officials in Tripura to carry out the revision impartially and independently.
The veteran CPI(M) leader also appealed to political parties and their workers to remain vigilant and exercise caution during the revision process to ensure that eligible citizens are properly enrolled.
Sarkar particularly highlighted the issue of married women who shift from their parental homes to their matrimonial homes and consequently require changes in their electoral registration details.
“Married daughters move to their in-laws’ house after marriage. Previously they might have voted from their parental home, but now their polling station and area of voting shall change,” he said.
He urged election officials to handle such cases carefully so that changes in residence do not result in eligible women being inadvertently excluded from the electoral rolls.
Sarkar said the Election Department should take adequate measures during the SIR to safeguard the voting rights of all eligible citizens and ensure that the revision process remains transparent and inclusive.
