Opposition Parties Criticize India’s Electoral Roll Revision, Supreme Court Steps In
The Election Commission of India (ECI) recently started a major effort called the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in Bihar. This move has sparked a heated debate, with opposition parties raising serious concerns.
Historically, the ECI and ruling parties have often been at odds, especially with claims of election misuse and unfair practices like manipulating Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). But this time, the controversy seems more intense than ever.
Recently, during a hearing, India’s Supreme Court chose not to stop the SIR but advised the ECI to accept more types of identity proof. The goal is to prevent eligible voters from losing their voting rights and to build trust in the process.
The Court expressed concerns about a "trust deficit" between the ECI and political parties. It highlighted issues with the tight deadlines and strict rules for updating the voter list. The judges also criticized political parties for not helping voters who get excluded from the draft electoral rolls.
The hearing is still ongoing, and discussions continue on how best to carry out the revision fairly and transparently.
This controversy isn’t new. A book titled The Power of the Ballot recounts past issues with voter lists in India. For example, in 1994, the ECI ordered authorities to remove foreign nationals from voter rolls after allegations of their names appearing on the lists. Authorities in Mumbai (then Bombay) checked nearly 1.67 lakh people, asking them to prove their Indian citizenship.
However, the Supreme Court later found that many people didn’t get proper chances to defend themselves before their names were deleted. Often, the process was rushed, and the documents accepted as proof were limited. Many of those questioned were poor or uneducated, making it harder for them to prove their citizenship.
To address these issues, the Court set clearer rules for updating voter lists, ensuring fair treatment for all. It also canceled many ongoing actions against suspected foreign nationals if proper procedures weren’t followed.
In recent times, the ECI’s decision to disallow some types of documents as proof of citizenship was also challenged and struck down by the courts, aiming for a more just and transparent electoral process.
As debates on electoral updates continue, maintaining trust and fairness in India’s voting system remains a top priority for authorities and courts alike.
