Article 1: Presumed ineligible
Why in news: The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has come under scrutiny after large numbers of voters in West Bengal and Delhi faced deletion, notices or verification. The Supreme Court is examining concerns over transparency, appeals and safeguards against wrongful exclusion.
Key Details
- West Bengal: About 38.2 lakh appeals have been filed, but only 1.02 lakh have been disposed of so far.
- 22.21 lakh appeals sought voter inclusion, including appeals by over 22 lakh of 27.16 lakh deleted electors.
- Delhi: 33.13 lakh electors received notices - 13.79 lakh unmapped and 19.33 lakh flagged for logical discrepancies.
- The ECI says a notice does not automatically mean deletion; electors can submit documents and receive an opportunity to be heard.
- The controversy highlights the need to balance removal of ineligible entries with protection against wrongful voter exclusion.
Principle of Electoral Inclusion
- The Election Commission of India (ECI) has repeatedly stated that no eligible elector should be excluded from electoral rolls.
- The ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) has, however, generated a large number of appeals against voter exclusions.
- The issue has become particularly significant in West Bengal and Delhi, where questions have been raised about the verification and enumeration process.
West Bengal: Appeals and Reinstatement
- By early September 2026, more than 38 lakh appeals had been filed before SIR appellate tribunals in West Bengal.
- Only around 1.22 lakh appeals, or 3.2%, had been disposed of, while 1,13,943 electors were restored to the rolls.
- More than 22 lakh electors who were declared ineligible during the revision process have reportedly appealed against their exclusion.
Concerns Over the SIR Process
- During the claims and corrections phase, judicial officers reportedly found 27 lakh of 60 lakh electors flagged for “logical discrepancies” to be ineligible.
- More than nine out of every 10 decided cases reportedly resulted in electors being restored to the rolls.
- This high reinstatement rate raises concerns about whether the initial verification and deletion process was sufficiently accurate.
Delhi: Enumeration and Mapping Concerns
- In 24 of Delhi’s 70 constituencies, the draft electoral roll reportedly contains fewer electors than the number who voted in the February 2025 Assembly election.
- The SIR process has placed 13.79 lakh electors under notice, while another 19.33 lakh have reportedly been flagged for “logical discrepancies”.
- Requiring voters to establish links with older electoral rolls may create difficulties for genuine electors where historical records or documentation are incomplete.
Need for Safeguards and Faster Appeals
- The large number of pending appeals highlights the need to speed up the appellate process and restore eligible voters promptly.
- Electoral-roll revision should combine the removal of ineligible entries with strong safeguards against wrongful exclusion.
- Clear criteria, transparent verification, accessible appeals and effective judicial oversight are essential to protect the principle of universal adult franchise.
Conclusion
Electoral-roll revision is essential to maintain accurate and credible elections, but the process must also protect every eligible voter from wrongful exclusion. Transparent criteria, adequate notice, accessible documentation, speedy appeals and judicial oversight can strengthen public confidence. The SIR experience in West Bengal and Delhi highlights the need for a balanced approach that combines electoral integrity with inclusive democratic participation.
Descriptive question:
Discuss the challenges associated with Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in ensuring both electoral integrity and universal adult franchise. (150 words, 10 marks)