Electoral Roll Revision and Voter Disenfranchisement Concerns
Why in news?
The Election Commission of India's (ECI) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, particularly in Bihar, has raised concerns over a significant number of missing names and potential disenfranchisement of voters. The Supreme Court has directed the ECI to publish reasons for voter exclusion.
Key points
- Concerns raised over mass voter deletions during electoral roll revisions.
- Supreme Court mandated ECI to publish reasons for voter exclusion.
- Historical context of women being excluded from early electoral rolls highlights ongoing challenges in inclusivity.
- Voters need clear mechanisms to check exclusions and challenge errors.
Background & context
India's electoral system has continuously evolved to enhance inclusivity, enforceability, and accessibility. Early electoral rolls faced issues like excluding women based on their relationship to men, which the first CEC, Sukumar Sen, addressed.
★ Prelims fact capsule
Sukumar Sen, India's first Chief Election Commissioner, worked to ensure women were registered under their own names.
✎ Mains relevance
GS Paper I (Social Issues - Role of women), GS Paper II (Polity - Electoral reforms, ECI's role and challenges).