ECI's Special Intensive Revision (SIR): Concerns over Transparency and Disenfranchisement
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Indian Polity & Governance (Election Commission of India - ECI: powers, functions; Electoral Rolls; Citizenship - NRC, Citizenship Act, 1955; Right to Information).
Mains:
GS Paper 2: Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies (ECI); Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act; Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability; Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population and the mechanisms constituted for their protection.
Key Highlights from the News
Key Action: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has initiated a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in Bihar, with plans to implement it nationwide.
Major Concerns:
Lack of Transparency: This decision was made secretly without consulting the public or political parties. The ECI has not released the "independent assessment" report that prompted this action.
Mass Exclusion: 6.5 million voters have been excluded from the draft electoral roll in Bihar. This is a significant number capable of influencing election results.
Lack of Information: The ECI is not releasing the full list of excluded individuals or clear reasons for their exclusion. This makes verification impossible and raises concerns that marginalised communities may be disproportionately excluded.
Demand for Proof of Citizenship:
The ECI is demanding proof of citizenship, such as passports or birth certificates, to retain names on the electoral roll. This is an unprecedented new condition.
This action raises suspicions that it is an attempt to implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC) through the backdoor.
Risk: The consequences of this could be more severe than just losing the right to vote. Election officials have the authority to refer suspicious cases to authorities under the Citizenship Act, 1955.
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