SRINAGAR, May 1, 2026 : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has sounded a strong warning over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, cautioning that any impact on the West Bengal Assembly election results could set a serious and dangerous precedent for democracy.
🗳️ Concern Over Voter List Manipulation
Addressing reporters, Abdullah said:
- The real threat is not EVM tampering, but voter deletion through SIR
- “Vote theft is happening via electoral roll revision, not machines,” he asserted
- Political parties must remain vigilant against attempts to manipulate voter lists
🛡️ On EVM Security & Strong Rooms
Referring to developments in Kolkata, he defended Mamata Banerjee’s move:
- Called it her democratic right to guard EVM strong rooms
- Drew parallels with earlier practices during ballot box elections
- Emphasized that safeguarding votes post-poll is a shared political responsibility
⚠️ Big Test for Opposition
Abdullah described the West Bengal elections as:
- A major challenge for opposition parties
- A situation where SIR’s impact could reshape electoral outcomes
- A development that requires collective political vigilance
📊 Exit Polls Dismissed
On exit polls, the CM was blunt:
- Predicted they would be proven wrong once again
- Recalled past instances where projections failed
- Said results will reveal the ground reality
