Student, youth bodies protest in Assam's Sivasagar against voter list revision, allege threat to indigenous voting rights

A strong protest was held outside the election office in Sivasagar on January 29, by a coalition of student and youth organisations, raising objections to the ongoing Special Summary Revision (SSR) of the electoral rolls. The protesters alleged that the exercise is being carried out in a manner that undermines the voting rights of indigenous communities.

The agitation was jointly organised by the Asom Chatra Yuva Sanmilani, All Assam Scheduled Caste Students’ Union, All Assam Koch Rajbongshi Students’ Union, and the Brihattar Asomiya Yuva Mancha. Leaders of the organisations claimed that the revision process is resulting in the deletion of indigenous Muslim voters from the rolls, while allowing the inclusion of non-Assamese voters.

Accusing the BJP-led government of politicising the Election Commission, the protesters demanded that the poll body be kept free from political influence. They said the voter list revision should be conducted in a fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory manner.

The organisations issued a seven-day ultimatum to the authorities, demanding that all voters whose names were removed be re-included in the electoral rolls. They warned of intensified protests if corrective steps are not taken within the stipulated timeframe.

The demonstration reflects growing unease among various groups in Assam over the impact of the special voter list revision on indigenous and minority communities.