Context:
- The Election Commission of India (ECI) has appointed Special Roll Observers (SROs) in eight States to ensure that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is conducted in a transparent, inclusive, and error-free manner.
- The move comes ahead of the publication of draft electoral rolls following intensive revision exercises.
Key Highlights:
Government Initiative / Policy Details
- Appointment of Special Roll Observers (SROs) by the ECI.
- Objective: To oversee the accuracy and credibility of electoral rolls during SIR.
- SROs are senior officers tasked with independent supervision of the revision process.
States Covered
- West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan.
- These States have large voter bases and have already commenced or completed SIR activities.
Operational Mechanism
- Nearly 5 lakh Booth Level Officers (BLOs) involved nationwide.
- BLOs will share lists of omitted voters with over 12 lakh booth-level agents of political parties.
- Door-to-door verification to confirm voter details, including ASD voters (Absent, Shifted, Dead).
Transparency Measures
- ASD voter lists to be shared with political parties.
- Electoral rolls to be published on:
- Websites of District Election Officers (DEOs)
- Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) portals
- Data to be made available in EPIC-searchable format.
Stakeholders Involved
- Election Commission of India
- Special Roll Observers (SROs)
- Chief Electoral Officers, DEOs, BLOs
- Recognised political parties
Relevant Prelims Points:
- Issue: Errors, duplications, and exclusions in electoral rolls affect free and fair elections.
- Causes: Migration, deaths, non-updation of records, administrative gaps.
- Government Initiatives:
- Special Intensive Revision (SIR)
- Appointment of Special Roll Observers
- Benefits:
- Reduction in duplicate and bogus voters
- Enhanced electoral integrity
- Challenges:
- Large-scale logistics
- Urban migration and documentation gaps
- Impact:
- Strengthening of democratic processes
Relevant Mains Points:
- Facts & Provisions:
- Article 324 of the Constitution empowers ECI to supervise elections.
- Electoral roll preparation governed by Representation of the People Act, 1950.
- Key Concepts:
- Free and fair elections, electoral transparency, procedural democracy
- Static Linkages:
- Role of ECI as an independent constitutional authority
- Way Forward:
- Greater use of technology-enabled verification
- Continuous roll updates instead of periodic corrections
- Enhanced voter awareness and grievance redressal
UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):
- GS Paper II: Polity, Election Commission, Democratic governance
- GS Paper IV: Ethics in public administration (transparency, accountability)