Why in News?

The Election Commission (EC) has launched a special intensive revision of the electoral roll in poll-bound Bihar, requiring all voters not listed in the 2003 rolls to submit fresh documents proving their eligibility—marking the beginning of a likely nationwide exercise.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Electoral Roll (ER): A Constitutional Responsibility of the ECI
• EC Begins Special Revision of Electoral Rolls in Bihar
• EC Revises Protocol for Handling EVMs and VVPATs with Mock Poll Data

Electoral Roll (ER): A Constitutional Responsibility of the ECI

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) regards the creation, maintenance, and purification of the Electoral Roll (ER) as a core constitutional duty.
• This duty is rooted in Article 324, the Representation of the People Act, 1950, and the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960 (RER).
• The ER’s credibility is anchored in continuous updates and decades of revisions, carried out through a rule-based, transparent statutory process.
• Special Summary Revision (SSR)
  • SSR involves reviewing the voter list and unveiling a draft electoral roll. It is often held prior to elections.
  • As per Rule 25(1) of RER 1960, there are three types of revisions:
    • Intensive Revision
    • Summary Revision
    • Partly Intensive and Partly Summary

EC Begins Special Revision of Electoral Rolls in Bihar

• The EC has ordered a special intensive revision of electoral rolls in Bihar ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.
• Voters not listed in the 2003 rolls must now submit fresh proof of eligibility.
  • The last intensive revision in Bihar was in 2003, with the qualifying date of January 1, 2003.
• Proof of Birth and Parental Origin Now Mandatory
  • Born Before July 1, 1987: Must provide proof of their own date and/or place of birth.
  • Born Between July 1, 1987 – December 2, 2004: Must furnish proof of date/place of birth of either parent.
  • Born After December 2, 2004: Must provide date/place of birth proof of both parents.
    These categories align with the Citizenship Act, 1955, according to EC sources.
• Legal Basis and Historical Context
  • This revision is being conducted under powers granted by the Representation of the People Act, 1950 (Section 21), which allows the EC to prepare electoral rolls afresh.
  • The Commission has invoked this power 13 times before, between 1952 and 2004.
• Process
  • Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will conduct house-to-house surveys, distribute pre-filled enumeration forms, and collect them with supporting documents.
  • Forms can also be submitted via the ECINET app or ECI website.
  • Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) verify voter eligibility under Section 23 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.
    • If any claims or objections arise, the AERO will investigate before final approval.
  • Under Section 24, appeals against ERO decisions can be made to the District Magistrate or Chief Electoral Officer.
• Need for intensive revision
  • The last intensive revision in Bihar was done in 2003.
  • Due to rapid urbanisation, migration, new eligible voters, unreported deaths, and inclusion of foreign illegal immigrants, the EC has now ordered a fresh revision to ensure accurate and error-free electoral rolls.

EC Revises Protocol for Handling EVMs and VVPATs with Mock Poll Data

• Earlier, EVMs and VVPATs where mock poll data wasn’t deleted or slips weren’t removed were set aside and not counted if the margin of victory exceeded the number of such votes.
• This led to discrepancies between total votes polled and counted.
• New Instructions: Count All Machines Separately
  • The Election Commission has now directed that such machines must be counted on a separate table, not discarded.
    • Mock poll votes will be subtracted using the mock poll certificate.
    • This ensures a more accurate final count and greater transparency.
• Accountability Measures for Poll Officials
  • Strict action will be taken against the Presiding Officer and Polling Officer if:
    • Mock poll data is not erased from the EVM control unit, or
    • VVPAT slips from the mock poll are not removed.
  • These officials will face disciplinary action, reinforcing the need for compliance and care during polling procedures.