The article discusses the Supreme Court's observations on Bihar's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, emphasizing the need to safeguard the 'right to vote.' The Court urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to include more accessible documents like Aadhaar and ration cards for identity verification, asserting that the ECI's mandate under Article 324 is to facilitate democratic participation, not create obstacles. While the 'right to vote' is legally a statutory right (under Section 62 of RPA, 1951), not a fundamental one, the Court considers it a 'democratic imperative.' The article highlights India's commitment to universal adult suffrage (Article 326) and the importance of accurate electoral rolls to prevent disenfranchisement and ensure electoral integrity.
- The Supreme Court has underscored the importance of the 'right to vote' as fundamental to India's democracy, urging the ECI to ensure inclusivity in electoral roll revisions.
- The ECI's mandate under Article 324 is to facilitate democratic participation, not to create barriers to voting.
- While legally a statutory right, the right to vote is considered a 'democratic imperative' for the survival of the Indian republic.
The Supreme Court observed that the Election Commission of India (ECI) should consider including Aadhaar, the Elector Photo Identity Card (EPIC), and ration cards as acceptable documents for identity verification during Bihar's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The Court criticized the ECI's restrictive list of 11 documents, stating that the entire exercise is about identity, not citizenship, and questioned the exclusion of Aadhaar. The Court reiterated that the ECI's mandate under Article 324 is to facilitate democratic participation, not create obstacles, emphasizing the 'right to vote' as fundamental to democracy.
- The Supreme Court has urged the ECI to expand the list of acceptable documents for voter identity verification, including Aadhaar and ration cards.
- The Court highlighted that the electoral roll revision (SIR) is primarily for identity verification, not citizenship proof.
- The ECI's mandate under Article 324 is to ensure democratic participation, not to create barriers to voting.
Amidst controversy over valid documents for voter registration in Bihar, the Election Commission's March 2023 manual empowers Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) to decide on voter inclusion or exclusion even in the absence of required documents. EROs can base their decisions on field verification, reports from Booth-Level Officers (BLOs), and testimonials from village heads or families. Proof of age can include an oath from parents or a 'Sarpanch', or even a visible examination by the BLO. Opposition parties, however, warn that EROs, being state government functionaries, could be influenced by the ruling party, potentially leading to biased decisions.
- Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) are empowered by the EC manual to decide on voter inclusion even without complete documentation.
- EROs can rely on field verification, BLO reports, and testimonials from local authorities or family members for proof of age and residence.
- The discretion granted to EROs is a point of concern for opposition parties, who fear potential political influence on their decisions.
The Centre has not decided whether to update the National Population Register (NPR) during the upcoming Census 2027, senior Home Ministry officials informed Census directors at a preparatory meeting. The NPR, first created in 2010 and updated in 2015-16, is considered the initial step towards creating a National Register of Citizens (NRC) under the Citizenship Rules, 2003. Unlike Census data, which is shared in aggregate format, NPR data contains household-wise details of 119 crore usual residents and can be shared with Central and State governments and agencies. The 2027 Census will be the first to use mobile apps for data collection.
- The Union government has not yet decided on updating the National Population Register (NPR) alongside the upcoming Census 2027.
- The NPR is considered the first step towards establishing a National Register of Citizens (NRC) under the Citizenship Act, 1955.
- NPR data, unlike Census data, includes specific individual and household details and can be shared with government agencies.
A disturbing pattern of custodial deaths persists in India, particularly in Tamil Nadu, with zero police convictions despite numerous reported cases. Data from 2016-2022 reveals 490 deaths in Tamil Nadu and 11,656 nationwide in judicial/police custody, with Uttar Pradesh reporting the highest number. While magisterial inquiries were ordered in 345 cases and 123 policemen arrested, none were convicted. The data also highlights a disproportionate targeting of Scheduled Castes (SCs) in preventive detentions in Tamil Nadu, where 38.5% of detenues were SCs compared to their 20% population share. This underscores a severe lack of accountability and systemic issues in policing and human rights enforcement.
- Custodial deaths are a persistent issue in India, with Tamil Nadu showing a significant number but zero police convictions.
- Despite arrests and chargesheets against police personnel for human rights violations, convictions remain negligible.
- Scheduled Castes are disproportionately targeted in preventive detentions in Tamil Nadu, indicating systemic discrimination.