Bihar's Deleted Electors: Election Commission Addresses Re-inclusion Claims Amidst Electoral Roll Scrutiny
Key Takeaways
- Approximately 30,000 electors in Bihar, previously deleted from the electoral roll, have applied for re-inclusion.
- The Election Commission of India (ECI) is actively reviewing these applications, emphasizing due process and transparency.
- This incident highlights the ongoing challenges and paramount importance of maintaining an accurate and updated electoral roll for conducting free and fair elections.
Why in the News?
The Election Commission of India (ECI) recently announced that it has received applications from nearly 30,000 individuals in Bihar who were previously removed from the state's electoral rolls. These individuals are now seeking re-inclusion, prompting the ECI to initiate a detailed review process. This development comes as part of the ECI's continuous efforts to cleanse electoral rolls and ensure accurate voter registration ahead of upcoming elections. The objective is to ensure that no eligible voter is disenfranchised while also preventing duplicate, invalid, or bogus entries, thereby upholding the sanctity of the electoral process.
Background
The fundamental task of preparing and maintaining electoral rolls is a core responsibility of the Election Commission of India, vested under Article 324 of the Constitution. The process of electoral roll revision is a continuous exercise, involving both summary revision (an annual update focusing on a specific qualifying date) and continuous revision (daily updates based on applications from citizens). Electors are typically deleted from rolls for various legitimate reasons, including death, shifting residence (requiring a Form 7 application), or identification of duplicate entries. However, the deletion process must strictly adhere to the principles of natural justice, necessitating proper verification and, crucially, notification to the concerned individual before their name is removed. The legal framework governing voter registration, deletion, and grievance redressal is primarily provided by the Representation of the People Act, 1950 and 1951. Historically, instances of mass deletion without proper verification have raised significant concerns about voter disenfranchisement, making the current situation in Bihar a critical point of scrutiny for ensuring electoral integrity.
The Election Commission is committed to ensuring that every eligible citizen has the right to vote and that electoral rolls are meticulously accurate. No genuine voter should be left out, and no bogus voter should be included, for the very foundation of our democracy rests on a fair and inclusive electoral process.
Significance for Aspirants
This topic holds immense relevance for UPSC and SSC aspirants, particularly for GS Paper 2 (Governance, Constitution, Polity) and GS Paper 4 (Ethics, Probity in Governance). It directly touches upon the constitutional mandate of the ECI, the operational functioning of democratic institutions, and the paramount importance of electoral reforms. Aspirants should be prepared for questions on the powers and functions of the ECI, the detailed process of electoral roll revision, common challenges faced in voter registration, the legal framework provided by the Representation of the People Acts, and the ethical implications of voter disenfranchisement. Furthermore, understanding the mechanisms for grievance redressal within the electoral process and the overarching principles of free, fair, and inclusive elections are crucial for comprehensive preparation and analytical responses.