Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls

Source: LM

Context: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has initiated a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, requiring all voters to submit enumeration forms, and post-2003 entrants to provide proof of citizenship.

About Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls:

• What is SIR?

• A comprehensive, house-to-house verification process to update electoral rolls afresh, ensuring accuracy and citizenship validation. Legally enabled under Section 21(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, and governed by Article 324(1) of the Constitution.

• A comprehensive, house-to-house verification process to update electoral rolls afresh, ensuring accuracy and citizenship validation.

• Legally enabled under Section 21(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, and governed by Article 324(1) of the Constitution.

• Objective:

• To weed out ineligible or duplicate voters, including illegal immigrants. To ensure only genuine Indian citizens above 18 years are on the rolls.

• To weed out ineligible or duplicate voters, including illegal immigrants.

• To ensure only genuine Indian citizens above 18 years are on the rolls.

• Why It’s Needed?

• Massive additions and deletions over 20 years. Urbanisation and migration have led to multiple registrations by individuals. Concerns about illegal immigrants and demographic manipulation in border states like Bihar.

• Massive additions and deletions over 20 years.

• Urbanisation and migration have led to multiple registrations by individuals.

• Concerns about illegal immigrants and demographic manipulation in border states like Bihar.

• Key Features:

• Applies to all voters, with added scrutiny for those registered post-2003. Requires enumeration forms and proof of birth/citizenship (passport, birth certificate, parental documents, etc.). Voters born: Before July 1, 1987: Own birth document. 1987–2004: Personal + one parent’s proof. Post-2004: Personal + both parents’ documents.

• Applies to all voters, with added scrutiny for those registered post-2003.

• Requires enumeration forms and proof of birth/citizenship (passport, birth certificate, parental documents, etc.).

• Voters born: Before July 1, 1987: Own birth document. 1987–2004: Personal + one parent’s proof. Post-2004: Personal + both parents’ documents.

• Before July 1, 1987: Own birth document.

• 1987–2004: Personal + one parent’s proof.

• Post-2004: Personal + both parents’ documents.

• Digital Options: Forms available via ECINET app or official ECI website for online submission.

• Significance:

• Ensures electoral roll integrity, a vital part of democratic functioning. Strengthens public trust in elections and prevents voter fraud. Paves the way for a nationwide voter verification drive post-Bihar.

• Ensures electoral roll integrity, a vital part of democratic functioning.

• Strengthens public trust in elections and prevents voter fraud.

• Paves the way for a nationwide voter verification drive post-Bihar.