Protests and Political Drama over Electoral Roll Revision
Why in news?
Allegations and counter-allegations between the Congress and BJP regarding the Election Commission of India's (ECI) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, including a planned protest by Rahul Gandhi.
Key points
- Congress and INDIA bloc allege exclusion of voters, particularly marginalized groups, during the SIR.
- BJP accuses Congress of staging a 'political drama' and misleading the public, citing ECI's statement.
- ECI stated it did not receive a formal request for a meeting from the Congress delegation as claimed.
- Concerns raised about the process of amending electoral rolls and its potential impact on voter demographics.
- Actor-activist Prakash Raj also criticized the SIR, claiming it disenfranchises marginalized communities.
Background & context
The Election Commission of India regularly undertakes Special Intensive Revisions (SIR) of electoral rolls to ensure accuracy and update voter lists. This process involves identifying eligible voters and removing deceased or non-resident individuals. Political parties often scrutinize these revisions, especially if they perceive a bias or an attempt to influence election outcomes.
★ Prelims fact capsule
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is a process conducted by the Election Commission of India.
✎ Mains relevance
GS Paper I (Social Issues) - Representation of People Act, Electoral Reforms; GS Paper II (Polity) - Role of ECI, Election Laws, Constitutional provisions related to elections.