The Supreme Court of India is currently evaluating the extent of the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) powers during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. This inquiry highlights the importance of maintaining accurate and reliable voter registration processes.
The Election Commission has identified that routine annual revisions are insufficient to tackle persistent "legacy data" problems. These issues arise from a lack of a nationwide house-to-house voter roll revision since 2002–04. Consequently, electoral rolls now contain names of deceased or relocated voters, duplicate entries, and figures that exceed actual population growth.
With major elections approaching in 2026, the ECI is focused on creating an accurate, transparent, and legally sound voter list.
The Special Intensive Revision is a thorough voter roll verification initiative that occurs when regular annual updates fall short. This process involves house-to-house verification, pre-filled forms, online submissions, and re-verification of legacy data to guarantee electoral roll integrity.
The ECI’s authority to carry out SIR is derived from Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.
During its inquiry, the Supreme Court raised a critical question: can the ECI investigate the citizenship status of voters in cases with questionable entries, without formally declaring any individual a non-citizen? The Court emphasized the vital distinction between inquiry and determination, stating that while the ECI cannot officially declare someone a foreigner or non-citizen, it is permitted to conduct inquiries to verify electoral roll accuracy.
The Supreme Court reinforced that citizenship is a constitutional requirement for the right to vote. Simply residing in a constituency and reaching the age of 18 does not automatically confer citizenship under Section 19 of the Representation of the People Act (RPA).
Section 19 of the RPA stipulates that a person is eligible for registration on the electoral roll of a constituency if they are at least 18 years old on the qualifying date and ordinarily reside there.
Article 325 of the Constitution ensures that no individual can be excluded from general or special electoral rolls based solely on religion, race, caste, or sex. This provision is essential for maintaining electoral fairness.
The Court noted that the ECI’s superintendence powers must align with constitutional standards of fairness and reasonableness as outlined in Article 14. It clarified that while the ECI has supervisory responsibilities, these do not extend to mass voter exclusions or the declaration of individuals as foreigners.
Q1. What is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in the context of Indian elections?
Answer: The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is a comprehensive voter roll verification process by the Election Commission of India, aimed at correcting legacy data issues and ensuring electoral roll integrity.
Q2. How does the Supreme Court's ruling affect the ECI's powers?
Answer: The Supreme Court clarified that while the ECI can investigate voter citizenship statuses, it cannot declare individuals as non-citizens, emphasizing a distinction between inquiry and determination.
Q3. What does Section 19 of the Representation of the People Act state?
Answer: Section 19 states that individuals aged 18 or older and ordinarily residing in a constituency are eligible to be registered on its electoral roll.
Q4. What does Article 325 of the Constitution guarantee?
Answer: Article 325 guarantees that no person shall be excluded from electoral rolls based on religion, race, caste, or sex, promoting inclusivity in the electoral process.
Q5. What are the constitutional limits on the ECI's powers of superintendence?
Answer: The ECI's superintendence must adhere to constitutional fairness standards, meaning it cannot engage in mass voter exclusions or improperly label individuals as foreigners.
Question 1: What is the primary focus of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)?
A) To conduct elections
B) To verify electoral rolls
C) To register new voters
D) To oversee election campaigns
Correct Answer: B
Question 2: Which article of the Constitution empowers the ECI for electoral roll revisions?
A) Article 19
B) Article 14
C) Article 324
D) Article 325
Correct Answer: C
Question 3: What does Section 19 of the Representation of the People Act define?
A) Voting age
B) Eligibility for voter registration
C) Election conduct
D) Voter rights
Correct Answer: B
Question 4: What does Article 325 prohibit?
A) Voting based on age
B) Exclusion based on religion
C) Electoral roll updates
D) Election irregularities
Correct Answer: B
Question 5: What is a key limitation on the ECI's superintendence powers?
A) Conducting elections
B) Mass voter exclusion
C) Updating voter rolls
D) Inquiring about citizenship
Correct Answer: B
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