Article 2: Juggernaut rolls on
Why in news: The Election Commission of India has launched the third phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls amid criticism over large-scale deletions, alleged disenfranchisement, and procedural flaws observed during earlier phases.
Key Details
- SIR is a special exercise for revising and updating electoral rolls.
- It aims to remove duplicate, shifted, or ineligible voters.
- The current Phase 3 covers 16 States and 3 Union Territories.
- The exercise involves verification of nearly 36.73 crore electors.
- It is conducted under provisions of the Representation of the People Act.
Major Concerns Raised
- Phase 2 reportedly resulted in a 10.2% reduction in electoral rolls.
- Allegations of disproportionate deletions from marginalised and minority communities emerged.
- West Bengal witnessed particularly high deletions of voters.
- Faulty software allegedly removed entire sets of duplicate names.
- Booth rationalisation during enumeration created confusion among voters.
Administrative and Procedural Issues
- Decision-making became highly centralised in New Delhi.
- Role of local Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) weakened.
- Enumeration process shifted burden of proof onto electors themselves.
- Errors in data handling reduced transparency and accountability.
- Gender-ratio declines in electoral rolls raised concerns over exclusion.
Judicial and Legal Issues
- Questions arose regarding Section 21(3) of the Representation of the People Act.
- Concerns were raised about burden shifting from officials to citizens.
- The Supreme Court of India focused more on administrative supervision than constitutional adjudication.
- Courts directed acceptance of additional identity documents.
- Civil society groups demanded stronger safeguards against disenfranchisement.
Suggested Reforms
- Strengthen the role of State-level election officials.
- Improve transparency in data verification and deletions.
- Conduct booth rationalisation only after enumeration.
- Ensure technology systems are free from software errors.
- Prioritise universal adult franchise and voter inclusion.
Conclusion
The Special Intensive Revision exercise highlights the challenges of maintaining accurate electoral rolls while protecting democratic participation. Concerns regarding mass deletions, procedural opacity, and exclusion of vulnerable communities underline the need for transparent, decentralised, and citizen-friendly electoral reforms. Safeguarding universal adult franchise must remain the foremost priority of India’s electoral system.