Wednesday, July 23


Last Updated:

In an 88-page affidavit, the ECI defended the SIR process as a constitutional mandate to maintain the purity and integrity of electoral rolls

The special revision is part of the EC’s broader effort to ensure accuracy in the electoral rolls ahead of the elections to be held later this year. File pic/News18

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has assured the Supreme Court that a person would not lose Indian citizenship if found ineligible for registration in the electoral rolls under the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) in poll-bound Bihar. This assurance addressed concerns from opposition parties and civil society groups that the exercise might lead to mass disenfranchisement and act as a “citizenship screening” drive.

In an 88-page affidavit filed on Monday, the ECI defended the SIR process as a constitutional mandate to maintain the purity and integrity of electoral rolls. The commission emphasised its legal and constitutional authority to request proof of citizenship to enable the right to vote. However, it clarified that ineligibility under Article 326 (adult suffrage) does not affect citizenship status, which is determined by the ministry of home affairs.

The electoral roll revision began on June 24, with a comprehensive house-to-house enumeration in Bihar, requiring all 7.8 crore existing electors to submit new forms by July 25. The draft rolls will be published on August 1, followed by a claims and objections period until September 1, with the final rolls due on September 30.

Petitioners, including the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and various political figures, have expressed concerns about the timing of the exercise near the November 2025 assembly elections, the burden of proof on citizens, and the exclusion of common documents like Aadhaar, voter ID cards (EPICs), and ration cards from the list of accepted documents.

Although the Supreme Court has allowed the SIR to proceed, it has suggested that Aadhaar, voter ID, and ration cards should be considered for verification. However, the ECI reiterated that these documents cannot be accepted as “standalone documents” for SIR, citing reasons such as Aadhaar only being proof of identity and the prevalence of fake ration cards.

The poll body assured rigorous safeguards to prevent the exclusion of eligible voters and maintained that the process is transparent and fair, with nearly 90% of electors having already submitted their forms by July 18.

News Desk

The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More

The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More

view comments

News india Bihar Poll Roll Overhaul: Won’t Lose Citizenship If Rejected By SIR, Election Commission Tells SC
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.



Source link

Share.
Leave A Reply

Exit mobile version