EC Asserts Constitutional Duty to Bar Foreigners from Voter Rolls and Defends Special Intensive Revision
The Election Commission of India (EC) defended its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls before the Supreme Court, dismissing claims that it is a 'parallel NRC.' The EC argued it has a constitutional duty under Article 324 to ensure only citizens are on the rolls. It clarified that while the NRC includes all residents, the electoral roll only includes citizens aged 18 and above. The EC also noted that the Central government has exclusive jurisdiction over the termination of citizenship under Section 9(2) of the Citizenship Act, 1955, while the EC manages voter eligibility.
Key Points
- The EC maintains that verifying citizenship for electoral rolls is a mandatory constitutional duty under Article 324.
- The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is distinct from the National Register of Citizens (NRC) as it only counts legal adults who are citizens.
- Section 14A of the Citizenship Act, 1955, empowers the Centre to maintain the NRC, while the EC focuses on the purity of the electoral roll.
- The EC distinguishes its role from the Central government's exclusive jurisdiction over citizenship termination under Section 9(2).
Exam Facts
- Article 324 of the Constitution grants the EC power for the preparation of electoral rolls.
- Section 14A of the Citizenship Act, 1955, relates to the National Register of Indian Citizens.
- 2.89 crore voters were deleted in the Uttar Pradesh draft electoral rolls during the recent revision.
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