Why in news?
The Supreme Court began hearing petitions in July 2025 challenging the Election Commission of India’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. The petitioners argue that the process may disenfranchise voters ahead of state elections.
What is SIR?
- A Special Intensive Revision is an exceptional exercise of house‑to‑house verification of voter lists, conducted when ordinary revisions are deemed insufficient. It combines features of both intensive and summary revisions.
- It is authorised under Section 21(3) of the Representation of the People Act 1950 and Article 324 of the Constitution, which give the Election Commission broad powers to supervise electoral rolls.
Why conduct SIR?
- Duplicate and erroneous entries: Rapid migration, urbanisation and duplicate registrations have inflated voter rolls in many states.
- Political complaints: Allegations of voter roll manipulation in states like Maharashtra have underscored the need for verification.
- Long gaps: Bihar’s last intensive revision was in 2003; records may no longer reflect current residents.
- Border concerns: Infiltration worries along international borders necessitate stricter verification.
How the SIR works
- Booth Level Officers distribute forms to households, asking voters to confirm or correct details and provide proof of citizenship.
- Electoral Registration Officers decide on inclusion or deletion, with power to refer doubtful cases under the Citizenship Act 1955.
- The current SIR in Bihar involves re‑verifying over 8 crore voters with about one lakh enumerators and volunteers and is scheduled to finish within a month.
Support and criticism
- Support: Proponents argue that Article 324 gives the Election Commission plenary power to ensure free and fair elections. SIR helps clean up rolls and has precedents in the early years after independence. Digital tools, photographs and GPS‑based records enhance transparency.
- Criticism: Opponents say the burden of proof unfairly shifts onto voters. Only those enrolled after 2003 face stringent scrutiny, which may disenfranchise the poor and marginalised who lack documents. Procedural lapses—such as wrong addresses and blank entries—have been reported. The timing ahead of elections invites allegations of political bias.
Way forward
- Clarify what constitutes valid citizenship proof and broaden acceptable documents to include Aadhaar, voter ID, ration cards and MNREGA cards.
- Follow inclusive precedents by ensuring enumerators assist voters rather than create hurdles.
- Avoid selective targeting; if intensive revision is needed, conduct it nationwide or in all similarly situated states.
- Ensure judicial oversight after elections to protect voter rights and rectify errors.