Why in the News?

• The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has led to reduced voter lists but higher turnout percentages across several states.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Electoral Roll (Basics, Importance, Types, etc.)
• News Summary (Impact of SIR)

Electoral Roll in India: Basics and Importance

• The electoral roll is a constituency-wise list of eligible voters, maintained by the Election Commission of India.
• It forms the foundation of India’s electoral democracy, as only those registered in the roll can exercise the right to vote.
• The Constitution mandates that all citizens above 18 years of age, subject to certain disqualifications, must be included in the roll.
• Accuracy of the electoral roll is crucial for ensuring free, fair, and credible elections.

Types of Electoral Roll Revisions

• Electoral rolls are updated through two main processes.
  • Summary Revision is conducted annually with limited corrections and additions.
  • Special Intensive Revision (SIR) involves a comprehensive re-verification of voters, often requiring fresh enumeration and documentation.
• SIR is more rigorous and aims to eliminate inaccuracies accumulated over time.

Growth of India’s Electorate

• India’s electorate has expanded significantly since independence.
• From about 17 crore voters in 1951, it has grown to over 96 crore in recent years, reflecting population growth and improved voter registration.
• At one point, the total electorate was projected to approach 100 crore, highlighting the scale of India’s democratic system.

News Summary: Impact of Special Intensive Revision

• Reduction in Electoral Roll Size
  • The SIR exercise has led to a significant trimming of electoral rolls by removing names of absent, shifted, dead, and duplicate voters (ASDD).
  • Across 13 States and Union Territories, the number of electors declined from about 51 crore to below 46 crore during the revision process.
  • This marks a notable departure from the usual trend of continuous growth in the electorate.
• Higher Voter Turnout Despite Smaller Electorates
  • States such as Tamil Nadu recorded over 85% turnout, significantly higher than previous elections.
  • Similarly, West Bengal witnessed turnout levels above 90% in certain phases.
  • This trend is partly attributed to the removal of “ghost voters,” which increases turnout percentages when calculated on a reduced voter base.
• Reasons for Deletion of Names
  • The primary reason for the decline in voter numbers is the removal of ASDD entries.
  • Additional deletions occurred due to non-submission of enumeration forms, inability to verify identity, and failure to meet eligibility criteria.
  • In many cases, the burden of proof shifted to citizens to re-establish their eligibility.
• Partial Recovery through Fresh Enrolment
  • While initial drafts showed sharp reductions, final rolls witnessed some recovery due to new registrations and corrections.
  • For example, Uttar Pradesh saw a drop from 15.44 crore to 12.55 crore in draft rolls, later rising to 13.39 crore in final rolls.
  • This indicates that SIR is not purely a deletion exercise but also includes the re-inclusion of eligible voters.
• Possible Decline in National Electorate Size
  • After covering nearly 60 crore voters, the overall electorate has already declined by around 6 crore.
  • Once completed nationwide, the total electorate could fall to around 90 crore, reversing the earlier trend towards a billion voters.
• Concerns over Exclusion and Disenfranchisement
  • The SIR process has raised concerns about the accidental exclusion of genuine voters, especially vulnerable groups lacking documentation.
  • There are apprehensions that strict verification procedures may lead to disenfranchisement on technical grounds.
• Need for Balancing Accuracy and Inclusion
  • While SIR improves the accuracy of electoral rolls, it must ensure that no eligible voter is left out.
  • The Election Commission now faces the challenge of restoring confidence by focusing on inclusion alongside verification.