Even as the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, a crucial process for ensuring fair and transparent elections, begins in Madhya Pradesh from November 4 to December 4, the Congress appears more engaged in conducting an internal training camp for its district presidents at Pachmarhi than in field-level monitoring of the voter verification drive.
The Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) on Saturday announced an eight-member SIR monitoring committee to oversee the voter list revision across the State. However, political observers find it ironic that while the Congress claims credit for pushing the Election Commission to initiate the SIR process following its allegations of ‘vote theft’, the party’s district presidents — its most critical organisational link — will be away attending a training camp during the same period.
The timing has raised eyebrows within political circles. Analysts argue that since the Congress was the first to allege irregularities and demand a thorough verification of voter rolls, its top district functionaries should have been stationed in their respective areas to closely monitor the enumeration being carried out by Booth Level Officers (BLOs). Instead, their absence is being viewed as a major strategic misstep that could weaken on-ground oversight.
The SIR process involves house-to-house verification of voter lists, cross-checking entries, and identifying errors, omissions, or duplications before the publication of the final electoral roll-on 7 February 2026. According to the Election Commission, the exercise will cover nearly 5.75 crore voters across Madhya Pradesh’s 55 districts.
Madhya Pradesh Congress Media Department Chairman Mukesh Nayak argues that the training camp at Pachmarhi — meant to strengthen organisational coordination and prepare for upcoming elections — is equally important. He claimed that it was scheduled for over a month now.
However, many leaders within the party quietly admit that without the presence of district presidents, who are considered the ‘backbone of the organisation’, the newly formed eight-member monitoring committee will struggle to track the SIR exercise effectively at the grassroots level.
Political experts note that Rahul Gandhi has often emphasised the vital role of district presidents, calling them “the soul of the party’s field machinery.” Their absence during such a sensitive electoral process could send a confusing signal — that Congress is prioritising internal management over direct public engagement in safeguarding voter rights.
While the party maintains that the monitoring committee will coordinate closely with local units, critics suggest this centralised approach cannot substitute for real-time supervision and feedback from the ground. The success of the Congress’s campaign to prevent alleged voter list manipulation will depend not on its statements but on its presence in the field during this month-long revision exercise.
In a state where election margins are often razor-thin, the Congress’s decision to prioritise training over field vigilance may prove costly.
MPCC on Saturday announced an eight-member SIR monitoring committee to oversee the voter list revision across the state
