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Thousands of Srikakulam Migrant Workers Said to Lose Vote Rights After Election Commission's Roll Revision
Reported by Pooja Nair (Section Editor) · The Hindu - National ·
Reported by one source so far
Photo: Wikimedia CommonsThousands of migrant labourers from Srikakulam district have been removed from the electoral roll after the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, Congress leader Pedada Parameswara Rao claimed on Saturday. Rao said the district is known for workers who live in other cities for livelihood but keep their families and Aadhaar address in Srikakulam. He argued that deleting their names during SIR is unfair because they cannot vote where they work. Rao told reporters that over five lakh residents of Srikakulam temporarily migrate for jobs, yet their voting rights were taken away. He urged the Election Commission to review the list and restore the right to vote for the affected migrants. The issue has been raised with the party high command as well.
What Happened
The Election Commission carried out a Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, during which thousands of migrant workers from Srikakulam were reportedly omitted.
Reaction
Pedada Parameswara Rao condemned the omission as unjust and called for immediate correction, emphasizing the workers' ties to the district through Aadhaar and family.
Context
Migrant labourers often retain their home-district registration while working elsewhere, making them vulnerable to roll-cleaning exercises that may not account for temporary migration.
ExplainerWhy this matters
What Happened
The Election Commission of India conducted a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, a routine exercise meant to delete duplicate or ineligible entries. During this sweep, the names of thousands of Srikakulam district workers who live elsewhere were removed.
Why It Matters
Voting is tied to a person's registered address. When migrant workers are taken off the list, they lose the ability to vote in any constituency, even though they continue to reside and work in other cities. This disenfranchises a large segment of the electorate, especially in a district like Srikakulam where temporary migration for livelihood is common. It also raises questions about how the revision process accounts for mobile populations.
What Happens Next
The Congress leader has asked the Election Commission to revisit the SIR list and reinstate the affected names. If the Commission complies, the workers will regain their voting rights for upcoming elections. If not, the issue may be taken up in courts or lead to further political pressure for a more migration‑friendly roll‑cleaning method.
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Photo: Wikimedia CommonsGeneralUnconfirmed — Reported by one source so farWorth knowing
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