CHANDIGARH, May 18, 2026 – Aam Aadmi Party Member of Parliament Malvinder Singh Kang has formally approached the Election Commission of India to voice serious concerns regarding the potential disenfranchisement of legitimate voters during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision exercise in Punjab.
The federal lawmaker, representing the Sri Anandpur Sahib constituency, asserted that the rigorous timeline and strict physical presence requirements mandated by the verification process pose a direct threat to the voting rights of millions of non-resident Indians who trace their origins back to Punjab. Kang noted that previous iterations of similar intensive revisions in regions such as Bihar and West Bengal resulted in large-scale deletions, raising doubts about the current administrative intent.
“Earlier, Punjab and farmers were deliberately defamed. Now, under the guise of voter verification, attempts are being made to remove bona fide Punjabi voters from electoral rolls,” Kang stated.
The parliamentarian noted that a significant segment of Punjab’s populace lives and works overseas while maintaining deep economic, legal, and emotional ties to the state. He declared that rigid documentation demands and narrow compliance windows could inadvertently strip these overseas citizens of their democratic representation due to their temporary absence from the country.
To mitigate these procedural hurdles, Kang proposed that the Election Commission implement specialized, digital-friendly mechanisms for the diaspora. His recommendations to the panel include introducing remote online verification options, lengthening document submission deadlines, utilizing Indian embassies and consulates for credential verification, and establishing dedicated dispute resolution channels.
Kang also questioned the rationale behind subjecting Punjab to a noticeably tighter verification schedule than other states facing similar electoral timelines, labeling the disparity as selective administrative pressure.
The lawmaker called for heightened vigilance among regional political entities and the public to ensure the integrity of the electoral rolls. He affirmed that the Aam Aadmi Party remains committed to resisting any administrative maneuvers that threaten to reduce the state’s active electorate.
