The ECI's 'Exclusive Jurisdiction': A Constitutional Debate on Electoral Roll Revision
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Indian Polity and Governance (Constitutional Bodies - Election Commission of India, its powers under Article 324; Separation of Powers; Judiciary; Key Legislations - RPA 1950).
Mains:
General Studies Paper 2 (Polity & Governance): Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies; Separation of powers between various organs; Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act; Governance issues.
Key Highlights from the News
The Election Commission (EC) informed the Supreme Court that they have complete and exclusive jurisdiction to decide matters related to the revision of electoral rolls, and the judiciary should not interfere.
The EC took this strong stance in a petition requesting a directive to conduct Special Intensive Revision (SIR) across the country at regular intervals.
The EC argued that under the Representation of the People Act, 1950, they have complete discretion to decide when and how to revise the electoral rolls.
This argument raises a significant debate about the jurisdiction between constitutional bodies like the ECI and the Supreme Court in overseeing the election process.
It is noteworthy that this argument comes amid a controversy where the SIR in Bihar is being called a "citizenship screening."
Meanwhile, the EC informed the court that it has decided to conduct a nationwide SIR with January 1, 2026, as the qualifying date.
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