Bihar's electoral rolls revision: Process, contentions, and implications for migrants
The Election Commission of India (EC) has initiated a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Bihar's electoral rolls ahead of the Legislative Assembly elections, aiming to address large-scale additions and deletions due to urbanization and migration over the past two decades. This SIR requires every elector to submit an enumeration form, a departure from the previous house-to-house verification. Contentions arise regarding the mammoth task of collecting forms from eight crore voters, the requirement for additional documents beyond Aadhaar for establishing date and place of birth, and the potential exclusion of migrant workers. While proponents argue for accuracy and technology's role, critics highlight the challenges for the underprivileged and migrants, advocating for their inclusion and considering remote voting facilities.
Key Points
- The Election Commission of India has launched a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Bihar's electoral rolls to ensure accuracy amidst rapid urbanization and migration.
- Unlike previous revisions, the current SIR mandates every elector to submit an enumeration form, with additional documents required for those registered after January 2003.
- A key contention is the exclusion of Aadhaar as a standalone proof of date of birth or citizenship, requiring other documents which may pose challenges for the underprivileged.
- Concerns are raised about the potential exclusion of migrant workers who may struggle to submit forms within deadlines, despite provisions for "temporarily absent" residents.
- The EC is urged to ensure adequate safeguards, involve Booth Level Agents (BLAs), and consider remote voting facilities to prevent the exclusion of eligible voters.
Exam Facts
- The revision is a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar.
- The last SIR for Bihar was conducted in 2003.
- Article 324 of the Constitution vests superintendence, direction, and control of electoral roll preparation with the EC.
- Article 326 states citizens aged 18+ are entitled to be registered as voters.
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