Former Uttarakhand CM Harish Rawat Says SIR Cannot Strip Voters’ Rights

Former Uttarakhand chief minister Harish Rawat publicly stated that the State Election Commission (SIR) cannot take away the constitutional right of citizens to vote. In an interview with News18, Rawat emphasized that the franchise is a fundamental democratic guarantee that no administrative body can override. He warned that any attempt to restrict voter participation would undermine the electoral process and erode public confidence in institutions. The former leader called for respect of the electorate’s rights and urged the commission to focus on facilitating free and fair elections rather than imposing restrictions. Rawat’s remarks come amid ongoing discussions about electoral reforms in several Indian states.