The Supreme Court (SC) is currently reviewing the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) process for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, suggesting that Aadhaar, voter ID, and ration cards should be accepted as valid documents for voter enumeration. The SC also rejected the argument made by petitioners challenging the ECI's authority to carry out the revision.
Electoral Roll (Voter List): It is the official list of all eligible voters in a specific constituency.
Preparation: The ECI prepares electoral rolls under the Representation of the People Act (RP Act), 1950.
Eligibility: Voters must be citizens aged 18 or above and ordinarily resident in the constituency.
Exclusions: Non-citizens and individuals disqualified by law are excluded.
SIR Process: A time-bound, house-to-house verification conducted by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to ensure accuracy in voter rolls before major elections.
Focus: The process aims to correct errors, add new voters, and remove ineligible voters from the list.
Legal Framework: Section 21 of the RP Act empowers the ECI to conduct special revisions.
Article 324: Grants the ECI the power to oversee and control the preparation of electoral rolls.
Article 326: Guarantees universal adult suffrage.
Judicial Precedent: In Mohinder Singh Gill v. Chief Election Commissioner (1977), the SC upheld the broad powers of the ECI to ensure fair elections, limiting judicial interference under Article 329(b).
Purpose: To remove ghost voters, include newly eligible voters, and ensure voter list accuracy.
Re-registration: Addresses migration and shifting populations, aligning the voter list with constituency changes.
"One Person, One Vote": Ensures each eligible voter is represented fairly, removing duplicates and false entries.
Civic Participation: Promotes awareness and offers accessible registration options (door-to-door surveys, online).
Digital Integration: Supports initiatives like mobile e-voting (e.g., Bihar's E-SECBHR app) using blockchain, biometric scanning, and facial recognition.
Impact on Vulnerable Voters: Requiring documents like Aadhaar, ration cards, and voter IDs may disproportionately affect underprivileged voters, especially those without access to these documents.
Frequent Moves: Migrants, students, and seasonal laborers may struggle to prove residency, risking exclusion from voter lists.
Birth Certificates/Legacy Data: The use of documents such as birth certificates raises concerns that it could lead to a de facto citizenship test, discriminating against marginalized and minority groups.
Top-Down Implementation: Excessive documentation requirements could undermine universal suffrage, especially for illiterate and homeless populations.
Aadhaar as Proof of Residence: While not a proof of citizenship, Aadhaar should be accepted as a valid document for residency verification. This can be cross-verified with legacy data.
Aadhaar-Voter ID Linking: A transparent linking process with safeguards can improve accuracy.
Door-to-Door Verification: BLOs should conduct thorough door-to-door verification, and regular audits should be carried out by state election commissions.
The ECI should consult civil society organizations, engage in public awareness campaigns, and ensure judicial oversight of the process to guarantee transparency.
AI for Anomaly Detection: Using AI to flag suspicious voter list deletions or additions, and blockchain to ensure secure voter logs.
Real-Time Tracking: A real-time tracking dashboard can help prevent tampering and irregularities.
Special Camps for Marginalized Groups: Organize camps for tribals, disabled persons, and other marginalized communities.
Multilingual Helplines: Provide language support to reach diverse communities.
Post-Revision Surveys: To ensure that the revision is accurate and that no groups are unjustly excluded.
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is critical for ensuring error-free elections and a fair democratic process. While the Supreme Court upheld the Election Commission of India's (ECI) authority, concerns about disenfranchisement, bias, and the potential misuse of documents like Aadhaar persist. Strengthening the SIR process through inclusive documentation, technology, and public consultation can help ensure that the process is fair, transparent, and equitable, safeguarding the integrity of India's electoral system.
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We provide offline, online and recorded lectures in the same amount.
Every aspirant is unique and the mentoring is customised according to the strengths and weaknesses of the aspirant.
In every Lecture. Director Sir will provide conceptual understanding with around 800 Mindmaps.
We provide you the best and Comprehensive content which comes directly or indirectly in UPSC Exam.
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