Syllabus: Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.
Constitutional Basis and Need for Revision
- Dr. B.R. Ambedkar stressed that accurate electoral rolls are a precondition for elections.
- Law mandates periodic and special revisions to maintain updated and error-free rolls.
- Rapid migration and rising mobility have caused duplicates, outdated entries and inaccuracies.
- The last major intensive revision occurred in 2002–03, making SIR 2025 essential.
Concerns and Legal Challenges
- The Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) faced constitutional challenges in Bihar.
- Petitioners argued that requiring fresh documentation undermines universal adult franchise.
- However, the Constitution grants the ECI full authority over electoral roll preparation.
- The exercise aims to ensure only eligible citizens vote, as required under Article 326.
Why SIR Does Not Imply Disenfranchisement
- Verification is routine globally, though India lacks integrated civil registry systems.
- The ECI must independently determine citizenship and eligibility.
- Law explicitly empowers ECI to conduct revisions in any manner deemed fit.
Features of SIR 2025
- Guidelines introduce administrative reforms, technological upgrades and transparency measures.
- Door-to-door verification was conducted for every elector.
- Acceptable documents increased to 11 items, creating a more liberal framework.
- Aadhaar was accepted as identity proof following Supreme Court suggestion.
- Booth Level Officers assisted applicants in obtaining eligibility documents.
- All submitted documents were digitised, and forms were accessible online.
- Claims and objections could also be filed through digital platforms.
- Political party agents received training, and rolls were shared for scrutiny.
Outcomes from Bihar’s SIR
- 7.5 crore entries underwent verification, and 65 lakh were removed.
- Only 2.5 lakh objections were filed, with 36,500 inclusion claims.
- No appeals were filed, indicating accurate and accountable scrutiny.
Significance
- SIR 2025 showcases the ECI’s commitment to constitutional duty despite criticism.
- The exercise strengthens democracy by ensuring clean, credible electoral rolls.