Student organisations AIDSO and SFI held a protest at Ramaswamy Circle in Mysuru on Friday, alleging that the special intensive revision of electoral rolls could make it harder for poor, tribal, working-class and marginalised residents to retain their names on the voter list.
The protesters described the revision process as unconstitutional and alleged that it could deprive disadvantaged citizens of their voting rights. The demonstration was led by representatives of the two student organisations, according to a report by Prajavani – Mysuru.
Social activist Ugra Narasimhegowda questioned whether citizens from economically vulnerable communities would be able to produce documents such as marks cards, bank account records or birth certificates to keep their names on the electoral roll. He said a large section of the country’s population consists of poor workers, tribal communities, labourers and other oppressed groups.
The concern raised at the protest centres on documentation and access. The protesters argued that requirements linked to voter-list revision could affect residents who may not possess or be able to easily obtain formal records. The report did not provide details of the specific documents required under the revision process or the number of voters who may be affected in Mysuru.
AIDSO district secretary Nitin also criticised decisions taken by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. He alleged that many of the decisions did not receive majority approval within the Election Commission and claimed that the other two election commissioners had recorded written objections 14 times over 10 months. These claims were made during the protest and were not independently elaborated on in the report.
Nitin further criticised the Supreme Court, alleging that it had not intervened in the matter. The report did not include a response from the Election Commission, the Chief Election Commissioner, the Supreme Court or local election authorities to the allegations made by the protesters.
AIDSO district president Chandrakala, vice-president Swati and office-bearers Chandrika, Chandana, Hema, Anjali and Nandish were also present at the demonstration. The protest brings attention to the administrative challenge of ensuring that electoral-roll revision does not exclude residents who face difficulties with documentation, although the report does not state whether any names have already been removed from Mysuru’s voter list or whether local authorities have announced corrective measures.
