Supreme Court and Election Commission of India's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Electoral Rolls
The Supreme Court has emphasized the importance of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, describing it as part of the Election Commission of India's (ECI) "constitutional mandate". The ECI plans to extend this exercise nationwide but may wait until July 28 for further Supreme Court directions regarding various petitions against the exercise in Bihar.
Controversies Surrounding SIR
- The SIR process in Bihar has involved identifying individuals of foreign origin, particularly from Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, by booth-level officers (BLOs), raising concerns about BLOs' qualifications to determine citizenship.
- The ECI's historical motto has been "no voter is left behind", but concerns arise over shifting the responsibility of voter registration from the state to the citizens.
Political and Social Implications
- Bihar is preparing for elections in October-November, and other states like Assam and West Bengal, which face issues of illegal immigration, are scheduled for elections next year.
- The SIR's timeline is criticized for being too close to Bihar's state elections, risking disenfranchisement due to document verification challenges.
Concerns Over Document Verification
- Millions may be excluded due to lack of appropriate documents as required by the SIR order.
- The Supreme Court has suggested including documents like Aadhaar, electoral photo identity cards, and ration cards to prevent marginalization.
- Bihar faces significant literacy challenges, with 40% of women never attending school and 29% of men unable to read forms, complicating voter registration.
Impact on Bihar's Voters
- The ECI claims over 80% voter coverage under SIR, but concerns remain about the inclusion of migrants who typically return to vote during elections.
- The state has a substantial migrant population, with over half the households having one earning member as a migrant.
Conclusion
The ECI is urged to uphold the spirit of India's inclusive democracy while adhering to Supreme Court guidelines to ensure comprehensive and fair electoral roll revisions.
