Voter list revision not a solution to demographic change in Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma says

Guwahati, July 16 — Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said that merely revising the voter list would not address the state’s deep-rooted demographic challenges. In a candid statement, Sarma stressed the need for more comprehensive and long-term policy approaches to tackle what he termed as an “alarming demographic transition” in parts of the state.

Sarma’s remarks came during a media interaction following a review meeting on electoral roll preparations. While acknowledging the importance of maintaining a clean and updated electoral register, he made it clear that the exercise alone cannot solve the complex demographic shifts that Assam has been witnessing for decades.

“Demographic Change Is Not Just About Voter Names”

“Simply adding or deleting names from the voter list won’t fix the demographic imbalance. The issue is much larger and rooted in decades of migration and socio-political changes,” Sarma stated.

The Chief Minister pointed out that areas such as Lower Assam have seen rapid changes in population patterns, with significant increases in specific communities. He warned that these trends have socio-political implications and must be understood in a broader national security and cultural context.

Call for Policy-Level Interventions

Sarma advocated for stronger legal and policy measures to protect the cultural identity and political rights of indigenous communities in Assam. He emphasized the need to go beyond electoral exercises and urged for a national dialogue on demographic stability in border states.

“Infiltration and illegal migration have changed the ground realities in many constituencies. We need mechanisms that ensure the rights of indigenous people are not diluted,” he added.

Opposition Slams Remarks

Reacting to the Chief Minister’s statement, opposition parties accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government of attempting to polarize communities ahead of upcoming elections. Congress leader Debabrata Saikia said, “Sarma is trying to divert attention from economic issues by reigniting communal fears.”

Activists and civil society organizations also expressed concern, urging the government to refrain from stoking division in the name of demographic discourse.

Assam’s Electoral Landscape in Focus

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has begun its routine pre-election voter list revision across the country, including Assam. The exercise includes identifying duplicate entries, correcting errors, and updating voter data. However, the state’s demographic shifts have added a layer of complexity to the process.

Political analysts say Sarma’s remarks reflect a growing anxiety within sections of the Assamese population regarding the preservation of their linguistic, cultural, and religious identity.

No Immediate Legislative Plan

Despite the strong rhetoric, the Chief Minister did not announce any immediate legislative steps. He hinted, however, that discussions with the Centre on the issue were ongoing, especially in light of the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which has stirred controversy in the state.

Conclusion

While voter list revision is a routine electoral exercise, the debate around Assam’s changing demography has once again taken center stage. As voices grow louder on both sides, the state remains a crucial test case in India’s balancing act between security, identity, and democratic inclusivity.