Catholic bishops warn against disenfranchisement in Indian elections 

NEW DELHI (Indian Catholic News) — The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India firmly demanded that the Election Commission ensure no valid voter loses their constitutional right to vote amid growing concerns over voter list revisions.  

The national episcopal body said it is “shocked and deeply concerned” over reported irregularities in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The statement followed a Sept. 23 investigative report in The Indian Express that said 130 million names were struck from draft rolls in 30 states and Union Territories. 

The SIR is a nationwide effort that seeks to give every resident a recognised identity—by collecting and verifying their personal and biometric details—so that no one is left out of voter lists or denied access to essential public services. 

The CBCI urged the Election Commission to guarantee that the voter list revision process remains free, fair, and completely transparent, ensuring no legitimate citizen faces disenfranchisement. “Disenfranchisement must never become a ‘new normal,’ as such a trajectory represents a highly dangerous trend for our democracy,” the Indian Catholic bishops warned.  

Protecting public trust 

“The bedrock of any thriving democracy lies in the absolute trust the public places in its electoral institutions,” the CBCI stated. “It is the ultimate responsibility of the Election Commission to ensure that public trust in our electoral institutions remains unshaken, and that every eligible citizen’s voice is safeguarded”.  

The religious leadership emphasised that electoral authorities must maintain complete neutrality, stating “the principles of democracy must be protected at every level, and therefore the Election Commission must operate without any taint of bias or partisanship”.  

Addressing current civil unrest, the bishops expressed solidarity with those peacefully protesting for legitimate demands and the protection of the democratic fabric.  

However, church leaders requested that demonstrators refrain from violence and “maintain the absolute peaceful nature of their demonstrations” while praying for the nation during these difficult times. 

Read the press release.