NBCC Advocates for Inclusive Electoral Rolls Amid Revision Process

Kohima, India Aug 26, 2026 ALN: The Baptist Church Council (NBCC) has welcomed the Election Commission of India's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, urging for a transparent and inclusive process that safeguards eligible voters from wrongful exclusion. This revision process is particularly significant as it comes at a time when electoral integrity and the representation of diverse communities are under scrutiny across India.

In a statement issued by Dr. Villo Naleo, Secretary of Social Concern at NBCC, it was noted that the integrity of an electoral roll should be assessed not only by the removal of ineligible names but also by ensuring that every eligible citizen is protected from wrongful deletion. The electoral roll serves as the foundation of any democratic process, and its accuracy is crucial for fair representation. The NBCC's concerns highlight the delicate balance that needs to be maintained during this revision process, especially in regions with complex demographic and cultural landscapes.

The NBCC highlighted that the region's unique history of village-based communities, customary institutions, clan relationships, and traditional landholding means that many families may have records that do not fit neatly into modern bureaucratic categories. This is particularly relevant in areas where historical practices and local governance structures influence the way communities are organized. A rigid documentation-based approach could disadvantage genuine indigenous voters, who may not have formal records that align with contemporary bureaucratic expectations. This raises important questions about how electoral processes can adapt to accommodate diverse forms of identity and community structure.

Furthermore, the council pointed out that many residents study, work, serve in government, or temporarily live outside their native villages, with some moving to urban areas like Dimapur and Kohima. Determining whether a person has shifted residence or remains ordinarily resident can be complicated, and incorrect classifications could lead to the deletion of legitimate voters. This issue is exacerbated by the fact that migration patterns, both rural to urban and inter-state, have increased in recent years, making it essential for electoral authorities to develop more nuanced criteria for residency that take into account the realities of modern life.

"A democracy is not strengthened when questionable names remain on the roll; neither is it strengthened when genuine citizens lose their names from it," the council stated. This assertion underscores the dual responsibility of electoral authorities to ensure both the removal of fraudulent entries and the protection of legitimate voters. The NBCC emphasized that the true test of the SIR should not merely be how efficiently names are removed but how faithfully every legitimate citizen is protected. While a technically accurate electoral roll is essential, democracy also encompasses participation, conscience, equality, accountability, and justice. This broader understanding of democracy is crucial, as it invites a more holistic view of what it means to be a part of the electoral process.

The council noted that the SIR is a large-scale exercise involving mapping, house-to-house verification, data entry, claims, and objections. While speed is important, accuracy should take precedence over deadlines, as excessive pressure on field-level officials could increase errors in enumeration and verification. The NBCC's caution against prioritizing speed over accuracy is particularly relevant in light of previous experiences in electoral roll revisions where hurried processes led to significant inaccuracies and disenfranchisement of eligible voters.

The NBCC cautioned against rumors and urged that bureaucratic indifference should not become a barrier for citizens seeking assistance. Misinformation can easily spread in communities, especially during critical electoral periods, and it can lead to confusion and fear among voters. The council's call for transparency and proactive engagement from electoral officials is essential for building trust and ensuring that citizens feel empowered to participate in the electoral process.

The NBCC made four specific appeals:

1. The council called upon the administrative machinery to take a proactive role in the process, warning that electoral irregularities could range from technical administrative mistakes to deliberate voter suppression and fraud. Actively supporting or institutionalizing such practices would violate citizens' constitutional rights. This appeal highlights the importance of vigilance and accountability within the electoral administration, emphasizing that the integrity of the electoral process is a collective responsibility.
2. It appealed to Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and village authorities to maintain clean and honest electoral rolls in every constituency, emphasizing their responsibility to ensure clean politics. Local governance structures play a critical role in the electoral process, and the NBCC's call for integrity among these officials is crucial for fostering a culture of accountability.
3. The council urged Christian families not to include the names of deceased or otherwise ineligible persons on electoral rolls, advocating for a choice of "truth over manipulation, righteousness over expediency, and conscience over political gain." It described the cleansing of electoral rolls as a moral responsibility before God and the people, citing Proverbs 16:8: "Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice." This moral framing of the electoral process serves to remind communities of their ethical obligations in maintaining the integrity of the democratic system.
4. Finally, the NBCC urged every voter to remain vigilant against wrongful deletion, exclusion, intimidation, or manipulation, asserting that the right to vote is a fundamental expression of citizenship and democratic participation. This call to action emphasizes the active role that citizens must play in safeguarding their own rights and the health of the democratic system.

The NBCC appealed that the intensive revision should not become an "intensive exclusion," stressing that the region's unique context, including questions of identity, indigenous rights, migration, and historical records, requires the process to be careful, inclusive, transparent, non-discriminatory, and rights-protective. As the electoral landscape continues to evolve, it is imperative that revisions to electoral rolls reflect the diversity and complexity of the communities they serve. This approach not only strengthens the democratic process but also fosters a sense of belonging and representation among all citizens, ensuring that every voice is heard and accounted for in the electoral system.