Why in the News
A large intensive revision of electoral rolls has removed millions of names across States, with objection windows now open. The tension is between cleaning the rolls of ineligible entries and the risk of wrongful deletion of genuine voters.
What is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)?
- Roll revision: The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is a house to house re verification of electoral rolls by the Election Commission of India.
- ASDD categories: Names are marked under absent, shifted, duplicate, and dead (ASDD) categories for deletion.
- Claims window: Deletions are provisional until the claims and objections period closes.
What is the scale of deletion?
- Jharkhand: About 43.6 lakh names, or 16.5%, were removed from the draft roll.
- Karnataka: The State projects deletions of about 20% of electors.
- Correction route: Voters can seek restoration through Booth Level Officers and Form 6.
Why is the revision contested?
- Wrongful removal: Genuine voters risk deletion through data errors.
- Compressed timeline: The claims and objections window runs only to 4 September 2026.
- Legal challenge: The revision faces litigation over its process and scale.
“[2017] Consider the following statements:
1. The Election Commission of India is a ‘ five-member body.
2. Union Ministry of Home Affairs decides the election schedule for the conduct of both general elections and bye-elections.
3. Election Commission resolves the disputes relating to splits/mergers of recognized political parties.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 3 only