Parakula Prabhakar strongly criticises Election Commission's SIR, terms it 'voter theft'

Political economist Dr. Parakula Prabhakar has strongly criticised the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) conducted by the Election Commission of India. In an exclusive conversation with India Today, he raised serious questions regarding the constitutional and legal basis of this process.

Prabhakar argued that no such intensive revision process is provided for in the Constitution of India or the People's Representation Act. He further stated that no such SIR process has ever been undertaken in the history of the country.

He alleged that under the pretext of removing deceased persons or duplicate names, voters' names are actually being deleted on a large scale. According to him, minorities, Dalits, Tribals, and women are specifically targeted in this process. Referring to the findings of public hearings held in Hyderabad and Secunderabad, he noted that living residents had also been marked as 'delete' or 'shift'.

Prabhakar warned that mapping voters with old lists risks depriving future generations of their right to vote. He described the entire exercise as 'voter theft' and termed it a 'bloodless political genocide'.

Additionally, he advocated for the use of paper ballots instead of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). He appealed to citizens not to remain mere silent spectators but to become active in protecting universal adult suffrage.

Dr. Parakula Prabhakar is a renowned political economist who frequently offers opinions on electoral processes and democratic issues.