Lok Sabha to Hold 10-Hour Debate on Electoral Reforms on December 9
Decision comes after two days of Opposition protests demanding discussion on the SIR of electoral rolls.
After two days of intense protests in Parliament over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the Lok Sabha will hold a detailed debate on electoral reforms on December 9. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju confirmed the move on Tuesday following an all-party meeting and a session of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC), chaired by Speaker Om Birla.
A separate discussion on the 150th anniversary of the national song Vande Mataram, initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will take place on December 8. Both debates have been allotted 10 hours each, with the option to extend the time if needed.
Rijiju announced the schedule in a post on X, stating that the House will begin the Vande Mataram discussion at noon on December 8 and the debate on electoral reforms at noon the following day. Addressing reporters after the BAC meeting, he appealed to all parties—especially the Opposition—to participate constructively and help ensure meaningful parliamentary debate.
Opposition parties have been demanding an immediate, standalone discussion on the SIR exercise, which is currently underway in 12 states and Union Territories. Repeated disruptions over the issue forced the Lok Sabha to adjourn for the second consecutive day.
Congress chief whip K. Suresh said that the Opposition’s request for a debate on SIR had been merged into the broader discussion on electoral reforms. He added that the House will take up Vande Mataram on Monday, followed by two days of debate on electoral reforms starting Tuesday.
The Speaker held multiple meetings with party leaders to break the deadlock, while Rijiju also met floor leaders earlier in the day. However, the minister refused to fix a specific timeline during those discussions, arguing that the Opposition cannot dictate terms to the government. He also reiterated that SIR falls under the administrative domain of the Election Commission, not the Centre.
Despite this, Rijiju said the government was ready to discuss electoral reforms more broadly, as that comes under its remit. The Opposition, meanwhile, has been seeking a clear assurance in Parliament that their concerns regarding SIR will be addressed.
