ECI's Swift Voter List Revision Sparks Concerns Across States
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has initiated the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process across several states, including Assam, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Delhi, and southern states. However, concerns have been raised about the swift implementation, lack of transparency, and disregard for established procedures.
The ECI argues that SIR is necessary to update and improve the voter list, but the sudden deletion of a large number of names in Bihar has sparked controversy. The process was completed in just 97 days, compared to the 243 days taken for the 2002-2003 revision, raising questions about thoroughness.
The ECI's actions have been criticized for flouting its own manual and ignoring electoral states and timelines. Official rules and guidelines issued in 2023 were not properly followed, potentially leading to violations. The ECI's authority to scrutinise and remove names based on arbitrary criteria has also been challenged, as it could undermine universal adult suffrage.
The SIR process in Bihar, conducted from June 24 to September 30, 2025, saw the ECI and the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Bihar, supported by district election officers, carry out the revision. However, the qualifying date for the process was set as January 1, 2026, and Rule 11.3.6 was ignored, with no resolution of claims or objections within one week of publication.
The ECI's SIR process has raised concerns about transparency, thoroughness, and adherence to established procedures. While the ECI maintains that SIR is necessary for updating voter lists, the swift implementation and lack of clarity have led to questions and criticism. The process is set to continue across the country, with the qualifying date for inclusion in the voter list being January 1, 2026.
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