​Do not rush it: On the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls

Context & The Gist

The article discusses concerns surrounding the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. This revision, undertaken in several states and UTs, has led to significant deletions of voters – exceeding 7.5% in West Bengal and 15% in Tamil Nadu. The core issue is the risk of widespread disenfranchisement due to a compressed timeline, stringent documentation requirements, and a flawed process that places the onus of verification on voters themselves.

The SIR aims to update voter lists, but the current implementation raises questions about inclusivity and fairness, particularly for vulnerable sections of society.

Key Arguments & Nuances

• High Deletion Rates: The substantial number of deletions in states like West Bengal and Tamil Nadu raises concerns about the accuracy and fairness of the process.
• Tight Timeline & Documentation: The 53-day hearing window and insistence on citizenship documentation, including parental birth details, create hurdles for voter registration, especially for marginalized groups.
• Aadhaar's Role: While the Supreme Court allowed Aadhaar as an identity document, it hasn't addressed the fundamental constitutional questions surrounding the SIR process.
• Flawed Verification Process: The ECI relies heavily on change/correction requests from political parties rather than cross-mapping with government databases, increasing the risk of excluding eligible voters.
• Vulnerable Sections at Risk: Short-term migrants, illiterate voters, and married women are particularly vulnerable to disenfranchisement due to the current process.
• State-Specific Challenges: States like Kerala faced logistical difficulties due to coinciding local body elections, further complicating the SIR process.

UPSC Syllabus Relevance

• Polity: Electoral processes, constitutional provisions related to elections, role of the Election Commission.
• Governance: Issues related to citizen rights, inclusive governance, and effective implementation of government policies.
• Current Affairs: Recent developments related to electoral reforms and challenges in voter registration.

Prelims Data Bank

• Election Commission of India (ECI): Constitutional body established under Article 324 of the Constitution.
• Aadhaar: 12-digit unique identification number issued to residents of India under the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016.
• Representation of the People Act, 1950 & 1951: These acts govern the conduct of elections in India.
• Article 324: Superintendence, direction and control of elections to Parliament, State Legislatures, in India shall be vested in the Election Commission.

Mains Critical Analysis

The SIR process, while intended to cleanse electoral rolls, presents a complex set of challenges. A PESTLE analysis reveals the following:

• Political: Concerns about partisan manipulation of electoral rolls and allegations of disenfranchisement, as seen in Bihar.
• Economic: The cost of implementing the SIR, including logistical expenses and the administrative burden on BLOs.
• Social: The potential for excluding vulnerable sections of society, leading to reduced voter participation and undermining democratic principles.
• Technological: Reliance on digitization and data mapping, which can be prone to errors and require robust infrastructure.
• Legal: The need for clarity on the constitutionality of the SIR process and the legal validity of the documentation requirements.
• Environmental: (Less relevant, but could include the paper usage associated with the process).

A critical gap lies in the lack of a robust mechanism for cross-verification with government databases. The current reliance on self-verification and political party agents is insufficient to ensure accuracy and prevent exclusions. The disproportionate impact on women voters, as highlighted in Bihar, is particularly concerning and requires immediate attention.

The SIR's effectiveness hinges on balancing the need for accurate voter lists with the fundamental right to vote. The current approach appears to prioritize the former at the expense of the latter.

Value Addition

• Justice K.S. Puttaswamy vs Union of India (2017): This landmark case affirmed the right to privacy as a fundamental right, which has implications for the collection and use of personal data during the SIR process.
• Indira Nehru Gandhi vs Raj Narain (1975): This case highlighted the importance of free and fair elections as a basic structure of the Constitution.
• ECI Guidelines on Voter Registration: The ECI has issued guidelines on voter registration, emphasizing the need for inclusivity and accessibility.

Context & Linkages

This earlier article detailed the ECI’s attempt to learn from the Bihar SIR and implement a more inclusive process, including redesigned forms and the acceptance of Aadhaar. However, the current article suggests that despite these improvements, significant challenges remain, particularly regarding deletions and the burden placed on voters to prove their eligibility.

This article directly echoes the concerns raised in the current piece – the flawed methodology of placing the onus on residents to prove their eligibility. Both articles highlight the potential for disenfranchisement and the need for judicial scrutiny of the SIR process.

The Bihar election context, as discussed in this article, underscores the political sensitivity surrounding the SIR. Allegations of manipulation and vote theft highlight the importance of transparency and accountability in the electoral process.

This article provides crucial data on the disproportionate impact of the SIR on women voters, particularly young women who had recently moved after marriage. This reinforces the concerns raised in the current article about the vulnerability of specific demographic groups.

The Way Forward

• Extend the Timeline: Allow more time for voter registration and address the logistical challenges faced by states.
• Streamline Documentation: Reduce the documentation requirements and accept a wider range of identity proofs.
• Cross-Verification with Databases: Implement a robust system for cross-mapping with government databases (death registration, migration records) to improve accuracy.
• Targeted Outreach: Conduct targeted outreach programs to educate vulnerable sections of society about the SIR process and assist them with registration.
• Judicial Review: Expedite the judicial review of the constitutionality of the SIR process.
• Strengthen BLO Training: Provide comprehensive training to BLOs on inclusive voter registration practices.