Context & The Gist
The article discusses the ongoing State-wide Intensive Revision (SIR) 2.0 of electoral rolls by the Election Commission of India (ECI) in 12 States/UTs, and the concerns surrounding its methodology.
The central argument is that the SIR process, by shifting the burden of proof of eligibility onto voters rather than the state, risks significant disenfranchisement, particularly among vulnerable groups like married women and migrants.
Key Arguments & Nuances
- Inversion of Presumption: Historically, the ECI and judiciary presumed adult residents were valid voters. SIR 2.0 reverses this, requiring voters to *prove* their legitimacy against old records.
- Disenfranchisement Risk: The process disproportionately affects those lacking documentation – married women (due to name changes) and migrants – mirroring the experience in Bihar where a sharp decline in the gender ratio of the electorate was observed.
- Implementation Flaws: Despite ECI claims, access to enumeration forms remains a challenge, and BLOs are not consistently conducting household visits as mandated.
- Judicial Oversight: While the Supreme Court is hearing challenges, the focus has been on implementation rather than the constitutional validity of the methodology itself.
- Alternative Approaches: The ECI could have prioritized door-to-door verification and technology-driven deduplication instead of a process focused on ‘purifying’ rolls at the expense of franchise protection.
UPSC Syllabus Relevance
- Polity: Electoral processes, constitutional provisions related to elections (Representation of the People Act, 1950).
- Governance: Role of the Election Commission, issues related to voter enrolment and participation.
- Social Issues: Impact of policies on vulnerable sections of society (women, migrants), issues of disenfranchisement.
Prelims Data Bank
- Representation of the People Act, 1950: Defines the framework for elections in India.
- Booth Level Officer (BLO): An officer responsible for maintaining and updating the electoral roll at the polling booth level.
- Dr. Manmohan Singh vs. State (1999): Gauhati High Court’s interpretation of “ordinary resident” as a habitual resident with the intention to dwell permanently.
Mains Critical Analysis
The SIR 2.0 process presents a complex interplay of administrative efficiency and democratic principles. A PESTLE analysis reveals:
- Political: The process raises questions about the ECI’s mandate to ensure inclusive elections and the potential for political manipulation.
- Economic: The cost of implementing SIR 2.0, including manpower and logistical expenses, needs to be weighed against its benefits.
- Social: The disproportionate impact on marginalized groups raises concerns about social equity and democratic participation.
- Technological: While technology can aid deduplication, over-reliance without addressing access issues exacerbates inequalities.
- Legal: The constitutional validity of shifting the burden of proof remains a critical legal question.
- Environmental: The paper-based enumeration process has environmental implications.
The core issue is the fundamental right to vote. The shifting of the burden of proof undermines this right, particularly for those lacking readily available documentation. The critical gap lies in the ECI’s prioritization of ‘purity’ of rolls over universal adult franchise. This approach risks creating a system where legitimate voters are excluded, thereby weakening the democratic process.
Value Addition
- Article 326 of the Constitution: Provides for the preparation of electoral rolls and the conduct of elections.
- ECI’s Powers: Derived from Article 324 of the Constitution, granting it the power to supervise, direct, and control elections.
- Quote: “The right to vote is not merely a right, but a responsibility.” – Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
The Way Forward
- Immediate Measure: Suspend the SIR 2.0 process until a comprehensive review addresses the implementation flaws and ensures accessibility for all voters.
- Long-term Reform: Restore the presumption of validity for residents, invest in robust door-to-door verification, leverage technology for deduplication, and simplify documentation requirements.