Why in News?

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) has initiated a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in 12 states and Union Territories, covering 51 crore electors, to ensure the purity and accuracy of electoral rolls.
• This is the first nationwide SIR since 2002–2005, aimed at eliminating duplicate, migrated, or ineligible entries and verifying voter eligibility.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Background and Significance
• Coverage and Implementation
• Operational Details
• Special Cases and Administrative Coordination
• Challenges and Controversies
• Way Forward
• Conclusion

Background and Significance:

• Evolution of SIR:
  • The ECI’s order (June 2025) mandated all registered electors to fill new enumeration forms, while those added after the last intensive revision (2002–2005) must submit eligibility and citizenship-related documents.
  • The first phase began in Bihar, where Assembly elections are due, serving as a pilot model for future nationwide implementation.
• Constitutional and legal basis:
  • The ECI cites Article 326 of the Constitution — which restricts voting rights to Indian citizens aged 18 and above — to justify verifying eligibility (not citizenship cancellation).
  • The process is governed by the Representation of the People Act, 1950.
  • This ensures free and fair elections, one of the basic features of the Constitution.
• Need for SIR:
  • Political parties have repeatedly complained about the “impurity” in electoral rolls due to -
    • Migration and multiple registrations.
    • Non-removal of deceased voters.
    • Wrongful inclusion of non-citizens.
  • The SIR had been conducted 8 times since 1951 and the last intensive revision was conducted between 2002–2005, followed by only summary revisions.

Coverage and Implementation:

• States and UTs involved: The SIR will be conducted in A&N Islands, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Lakshadweep, MP, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, UP, and West Bengal.
• Key dates:
  • Enumeration period: Begins November 4, 2025.
  • Draft roll publication: December 9, 2025.
  • Final roll publication: February 7, 2026.
• Excluded state: Assam is excluded due to ongoing NRC process and distinct Citizenship Act provisions.

Operational Details:

• Enumeration process:
  • 5.33 lakh Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to conduct house-to-house verification.
  • All electors must submit enumeration forms by December 4 to remain on the draft roll.
  • Eligibility proof required for those not traceable to 2002–2005 SIR rolls.
• Documents accepted:
  • 13 types of documents, including Aadhaar and extracts from Bihar’s SIR roll.
  • Aadhaar to be used only for identity verification, not citizenship proof.
  • Electors born after July 1, 1987 must submit proof of parents’ eligibility.

Special Cases and Administrative Coordination:

• Bihar’s experience:
  • Bihar’s SIR concluded on September 30, 2025, with electors reducing by 6% (to 7.42 crore).
  • No appeals were filed against Electoral Registration Officers’ (ERO) decisions.
  • This model will guide the second phase of SIR.
• State-specific considerations:
  • Urban areas like Delhi and Chandigarh have low linkage with old rolls due to migration.
  • Weather conditions and local body elections have also influenced state selection and timelines.

Challenges and Controversies:

• Legal challenge: The Supreme Court is hearing petitions questioning -
  • ECI’s authority to verify citizenship of registered voters.
  • The procedure adopted in Bihar’s SIR.
• Political opposition:
  • West Bengal CM termed it an “NRC through the backdoor”.
  • However, ECI maintains that constitutional bodies will carry out their respective roles independently.
• Administrative: Tight timelines and document verification may burden BLOs and EROs.
• Social: Risk of disenfranchisement if citizens lack documentary proof.

Way Forward:

• Transparency and technology: Use of the Voter Portal to help citizens trace old roll entries.
• Electoral integrity: Purified rolls could reduce bogus voting and increase public trust.
• Awareness campaigns: To ensure mass participation and timely documentation.
• Data synchronization: Integration of digital databases to prevent duplication.
• Periodic SIRs: Institutionalizing regular intensive revisions to maintain credibility.
• Stakeholder engagement: Institutionalised consultations with political parties, civil society, and local administration before rollout.
• Legal clarity: Seek SC guidance to define ECI’s powers under Article 326 and the RPA, 1950.
• Document access facilitation: Simplify and digitise the process of submitting eligibility proofs, especially in rural and migrant-heavy areas.
• Phased implementation: Adopt Bihar’s learnings for gradual state-by-state rollout instead of a single nationwide push.

Conclusion:

• The SIR of electoral rolls marks a major administrative reform to restore public trust in the electoral process.
• By verifying eligibility and updating voter lists, the EC aims to strengthen democratic legitimacy.
• However, political concerns and legal scrutiny highlight the delicate balance between ensuring voter purity and protecting voter rights.