What is Electoral Roll?
Electoral Roll or Voter's list is a compilation of all persons entitled to vote for a particular election in a specific jurisdiction.
- Here, all Indian citizens above age of 18 years of age
Why SIR is needed?
SIR is exercise for electoral Roll Revision conducted as per ECI rules and guidelines. It is a process for updating the names in voter's list.
It's objective -
1. Inclusion of all eligible citizens in Electoral roll
2. Exclusion of bogus, fake or ineligible names
3. Enable citizens to exercise their franchise (Article 326)
4. Introduce complete transparency in electoral Roll making
5. Create error-free electoral Roll
Why needed now?
Basic reason is the demographic change over last 20 years
- Last revision in 2003 in Bihar (This is 14th cycle)
-Rapid urbanization and migration
- New voters coming of age (18 years, born in and before 2004)
- Non-reported deaths
- inclusion of foreign illegal voters
Who will be involved?
1. Booth level officers (BLOs)
2. Political Parties to assist BLOs
SIR guided by?
- Constitutional provisions under article 326
- Representation of People Act 1950 - section 16(eligibility conditions), section 23(ERO satisfaction for eligibility), section 24(appeal against ERO)
Digital element?
-Digital documentation under ECINET
- To be accessed by authorities only keeping in view the privacy
- Online submission of documents by voters on ECI website
- ensure minimum inconvenience to voters
Challenges ?
1. Document verification
2. Political interference
3. Misuse of ECINET data, breach of privacy
Constitutional Mandate of ECI
1. Article 324 – Establishes the Election Commission of India and vests it with the power of superintendence, direction, and control of elections.
2. Article 325 – Ensures no discrimination in electoral rolls based on religion, race, caste, or sex (Adult Franchise).
3. Article 326 – Grants universal adult suffrage (right to vote to all citizens aged 18 and above).
4. Article 327 – Empowers Parliament to make laws related to elections.
5. Article 328 – Grants state legislatures the power to make laws on elections (subject to Parliament’s authority).
6. Article 329 – Bars courts from interfering in electoral matters once the election process has begun.
Elections Conducted by the Election Commission of India
1. Lok Sabha Elections (General Elections) – Held every 5 years to elect Members of Parliament (MPs).
2. Rajya Sabha Elections – Indirect elections for members of the Upper House.
3. State Legislative Assembly Elections – Elections for state MLAs.
4. President & Vice-President Elections – Conducted by an electoral college.
Important Powers of the Election Commission of India
1. Conducts free & fair elections, including preparing electoral rolls and announcing schedules.
2. Enforces the Model Code of Conduct to ensure ethical campaigning.
3. Recognizes & de-recognizes political parties and allots election symbols.
4. Settles disputes related to party splits and disqualification of candidates.
5. Advises on disqualification of MPs/MLAs for corrupt practices (under Article 103 & 192).
Conclusion - SIR is right step towards ensuring procedural democracy in India. Overcoming challenges by performing duties diligently and maintaining integrity of process will make it successful exercise.
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