- It can be safely mentioned that the Election Commission of India (ECI) is one of the most fundamental institutions in India that has not only remained unbiased in undertaking several elections in a free, fair, and peaceful manner but also contributed immensely to further strengthening the democratic credentials of the country, most admirably. Little wonder, the whole world appreciates the monumental tasks and the yeoman services rendered by ECI over decades in conducting elections after elections. Suffice to say that the ECI has gone from strength to strength in discharging entrusted responsibilities with great aplomb. However, the hurriedly convened special intensive revision (SIR) exercise in Bihar did receive flak from several quarters.
PC: ETV Bharat
- Thus, the recent announcement by the EC to undertake a 12-state roll revision is expected to incorporate lessons learnt in Bihar. Nonetheless, the commission needs to do more on this front. As EC launched the SIR of voter rolls for 12 more states, it also expressed satisfaction with how SIR proceeded in Bihar – zero appeals to the September 30 final rolls indicated full satisfaction. But let’s note that anxiety caused by the hastily announced exercise on June 24 was addressed by the Supreme Court’s interventions – putting off submission of documents, asking EC to consider Aadhaar. These changes will be part of the new SIR. But there are certain rough edges that should be ironed out. We know how the Bihar SIR exercise panned out since it was announced.
PC: India Today
- While EC has said it’ll have additional instructions, the June 24 circular is applicable pan-India. Updated guidelines are available with media and election officials. However, EC must make all rules available on its website because the new enumeration form that the 12 states will use stands altered with new fields. Elections are about voters, and they must be able to easily access the detailed SOP. It will help make the exercise more robust. The Aadhaar question, for instance, was settled during Bihar’s SIR. The updated SOP includes that, but the now widely available June 24 circular does not. This can trigger further confusion. There’s also confusion on the question of proving citizenship via parentage.
PC: Plutus IAS
- Leave aside the fact that the question of whether the EC can decide on citizenship is in the SC. If an individual has requisite authentic documents, can a BLO put off their eligibility basis his/her suspicion, as written in the June 24 circular? Further, in Bihar, an organization of young adults who’ve grown up in state care had requested EC to exempt them from the requirement of showing parents’ documents. This issue too is left unresolved. What about such vulnerable groups? Bihar’s SIR triggered a climate of distrust among opposition states. EC must address this to all parties’ satisfaction. Voter rolls weaponized as a poll rhetoric by parties can create trust deficit among voters. EC must protect the fairness and integrity of its processes by addressing all these concerns.
