"Filtering process to strengthen democracy": Chhattisgarh BJP MLA Bhawna Bohra welcomes 2nd phase of SIR exercise

Patna (Bihar) [India], October 28 (ANI): Chhattisgarh BJP MLA Bhawna Bohra called the second phase Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists in 12 States and Union Territories, including Chhattisgarh, a "filtering process to strengthen democracy."
Welcoming the Election Commission's decision, Bohra told ANI, "This is the process of the Election Commission. The way the SIR campaign has been started in Bihar and 12 other states is a very good thing. This is definitely a filtering process which will strengthen democracy."
"It will also be implemented in Chhattisgarh very soon; therefore, this is definitely a very welcome step taken through the Election Commission," she added.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) will conduct the second phase of the SIR exercise of electoral rolls across 12 States and Union Territories, with the final voter list to be published on February 7, 2026, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar said on Monday.
Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, CEC Kumar said the exercise will cover Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
On the contrary, the Opposition in several States has opposed the move. Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Abhishek Banerjee reiterated that the first phase of the SIR exercise in Bihar was a way to exclude voters from the voting list and deprive them of their voting rights. He said that if the voting rights of genuine voters are snatched in West Bengal, then one lakh people will gherao the office of the Election Commission of India in New Delhi.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan called it "a direct challenge to the democratic process" and urged the poll body to withdraw from actions that "undermine its own credibility."
Meanwhile, as the Mahagathbandhan in Bihar released its manifesto, Bohra questioned its title 'Bihar Ka Tejashwi Pran,' alleging that Congress MP Rahul Gandhi was "uncomfortable" with it.
She said, "Everyone has seen how Tejashwi Yadav suddenly made announcements on stage yesterday in front of Rahul Gandhi, which made Rahul uncomfortable. They have named their manifesto 'Tejashwi Sankalp Patra'. But how can there be a manifesto for any particular person?"
"We are in a democracy; we certainly have the right to express our views, but when it comes to the people, especially in election manifestos, it is for the people. From this, we can see that whether it is Congress or RJD, both have become parties centred around a particular individual," she added.
The Opposition alliance in Bihar released its manifesto promising to pass a law within 20 days of forming the government to provide government jobs to one member of every family in the state.
Bihar assembly elections will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11. The results will be declared on November 14. (ANI)