Context:
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, currently underway, aims to verify and update voter records. However, the process relies heavily on paper-based electoral rolls from 2002–2004, exposing serious limitations in accuracy, efficiency, and transparency. Experts have urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to transition to a fully digitised electoral roll management system by 2026, leveraging modern digital infrastructure such as ECINet.
Key Highlights:
Existing Challenges in SIR Process
- Dependence on legacy paper-based rolls prepared through manual enumeration.
- Presence of spelling errors, incomplete addresses, missing demographic data, and inconsistencies across states.
- Difficulty in locating voter records, especially for migrants and mobile populations.
- Unrealistic expectation that voters remember polling booth details from two decades ago, often without archived EPIC cards.
Underutilisation of ECINet
- ECINet is an advanced digital electoral management platform designed for registration, deletion, and correction of voter data.
- Its potential remains largely untapped due to continued reliance on outdated physical records.
- Manual processes reduce searchability, verification speed, and grievance redressal efficiency.
Proposed Fully Digital SIR Model (2026)
- Digitisation of 2002–04 electoral rolls and seamless integration into ECINet.
- Online submission of Enumeration Forms (EFs) for additions, deletions, and corrections.
- Aadhaar as a strengthened anchor for identity verification (with legal safeguards).
- Categorisation of voters:
- Stable-address voters
- Frequent movers / migrants
- Immigration or nationality-related cases
Relevant Prelims Points:
- Issue & Causes:
- Outdated manual electoral databases, rising voter mobility, fragmented data systems.
- Government / Institutional Initiatives:
- ECINet as ECI’s flagship digital electoral platform.
- Benefits:
- Accurate voter verification, reduced duplication, faster roll updates.
- Challenges:
- Data privacy concerns, digital divide, need for legal backing for Aadhaar linkage.
- Impact:
- Enhances electoral integrity, reduces disenfranchisement, and improves public trust.
Relevant Mains Points:
- Facts & Concepts:
- Special Intensive Revision (SIR): Periodic large-scale verification of electoral rolls.
- ECINet: Integrated digital system for voter data management.
- Aadhaar linkage: Identity authentication tool, subject to Supreme Court safeguards.
- Governance Perspective:
- Digitisation aligns with e-governance, minimum government–maximum governance, and electoral transparency.
- Science & Technology Angle:
- Use of databases, interoperability, real-time updates, and digital authentication.
- Way Forward:
- Complete digitisation of legacy rolls, robust data protection framework, assisted digital access for vulnerable groups, and real-time grievance redressal to ensure inclusive and credible elections.
UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):
- GS 2: Governance – Electoral reforms, role of ECI, democratic processes.
- GS 3: Science & Technology – Digital governance, data systems, technology in public administration.