Context:
The Election Commission of India (ECI) is undertaking a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls across 12 States and Union Territories ahead of key elections. The exercise has drawn criticism over procedural irregularities, large-scale deletions, software glitches, and fears of disenfranchisement, raising concerns about the sanctity of universal adult franchise.
Key Highlights:
Scope of the Exercise
• SIR conducted in 12 States/UTs before crucial Assembly elections.
• Aimed at updating and cleaning electoral rolls through verification and de-duplication.
Procedural Concerns & Field-Level Issues
• In West Bengal, elderly voters faced hardship attending eligibility hearings; ECI later ordered home verification.
• Conditional halt to hearings of “unmapped” voters due to software-related issues.
• Reports of ad hoc technological interventions, including scrapping of de-duplication software in Bihar.
Large-Scale Deletions & Data Concerns
• Provisional data indicates over 6.5 crore deletions nationwide.
• In Uttar Pradesh, around 2.89 crore names deleted; draft roll publication postponed to January 6.
• Tamil Nadu and Gujarat witnessed significant deletions followed by rapid re-inclusions — indicating enumeration inconsistencies.
Concerns Raised
• Allegations that the revision resembles a de facto citizenship screening exercise.
• Data-driven investigations flagged anomalies in draft rolls.
• Limited judicial intervention so far; calls for constitutional scrutiny of SIR.