Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls

7 Jul 2025

Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls

The Election Commission of India (EC) has initiated a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in Bihar before the general elections for its Legislative Assembly.

About SIR

  • Refers: A house-to-house verification process to update electoral rolls from scratch.
  • Aim: To enrol all eligible citizens and remove ineligible/duplicate/foreign entries.
  • Conducted by: Booth Level Officers (BLOs) under Section 21(3) of RPA, 1950 and Article 324(1) of the Constitution.
  • Objectives
    • Ensure only genuine Indian citizens aged 18+ are on the rolls.
    • Weed out illegal immigrants, duplicates, and ineligible voters.
    • Maintain the integrity and credibility of the Electoral Roll.
    • Strengthen democracy and enable free & fair elections.

Electoral Roll: Constitutional & Legal Basis

  • Refers: The electoral roll, also known as the voters’ list, is a comprehensive list that includes the names of all eligible voters in a specific jurisdiction. 
    • It lists the names of voters irrespective of gender, caste or class. 
    • Ensures natural justice by providing opportunities for inclusion/exclusion with transparency.
  • Article 324: EC empowered for superintendence, direction, and control of electoral rolls.
  • Article 326: Voting right for every citizen aged 18+.
  • Representation of the People Act (RPA), 1950:
    • Section 16: Disqualifies non-citizens.
    • Section 19: Requires age (18+) and ordinary residence.
    • Section 20: Defines “ordinarily resident” (mere property ownership ≠ residence).
    • Section 21: EC may revise rolls through Special Intensive Revision (SIR).

Historical Context: Evolution of Electoral Roll Revisions

  • 1952-1956: 1/5th state area revised annually.
  • 1960: Amendment made January 1–31 as revision window.
  • 1983-84: Rural constituencies revised intensively before 1985 elections.
  • 1993: Introduction of EPIC (voter ID) cards.
  • 2002: Last nationwide de-novo (fresh) electoral roll preparation.

Types of Revisions under Rule 25(1), Registration of Electors Rules, 1960

  • Summary Revision – routine, minor updates.
  • Intensive Revisionde-novo (fresh), not relying on past rolls.
  • Special Intensive Revision (SIR) – targeted, usually when existing rolls are outdated or questionable.

Suggestions

  • EC must ensure no exclusion of eligible voters, especially the poor & migrants.
  • Use Aadhaar linkage to detect duplicate entries, while ensuring privacy.
  • Extend timelines and grievance redressal during claims and objections phase.
  • Balance voter purity with inclusion—exclusion is as damaging as inclusion of ineligible names.

Why is Bihar’s Case Unique?

  • The last SIR in Bihar was in 2003.
  • SIR covers door-to-door verification; now, every individual must submit a form (vs only head of household earlier).
  • All electors must fill an enumeration form; those added after 2003 must furnish proof of citizenship.
  • Combines intensive verification with historic roll reference—a hybrid approach.
  • The Statistics: Draft rolls show 7.96 crore electors in Bihar (as of Jan 1, 2025).
    • 4.96 crore listed in 2003 roll are automatically eligible.
    • Children of 2003 voters can use parental entry as proof.
    • However, the 2003 roll includes deceased/migrated persons—verification needed.
  • Accepted Documents for Citizenship Proof
    • Extracts from 2003 electoral roll (for parents), birth certificate, passport, family register, land allotment papers, NRC extract, pension orders, etc.
    • Aadhaar is not accepted—as it doesn’t prove citizenship.
  • Concerns Raised
    • Over 8 crore voters must fill forms; ~3 crore need birth/citizenship proof.
    • Migrants and students may be excluded due to documentation gaps.
    • The poor may lack alternative documents besides Aadhaar.
    • Fear of exclusion errors, suppression, and bureaucratic overreach.

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Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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