Supreme Court intervenes as 47,56,722 Delhi voters excluded during Special Intensive Revision
GS2Polity · Governance · IR· Elections, ECI & electoral reforms· Prelims + Mains·
Right to vote and electoral roll maintenance: a GS2 case study on administrative anomalies.
Why in news
The Supreme Court intervened as the Election Commission of India (ECI) allegedly forced 47,56,722 deleted Delhi voters to falsely declare themselves as first-time applicants to be reinstated on the electoral roll.
Background
During the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Delhi, 47,56,722 electors (32.78% of the pre-SIR voter base) were excluded under the ASDD (Absent, Shifted, Dead, or Duplicate) category. The ECI currently requires these voters to use Form 6, which mandates a declaration of being a first-time applicant.
Facts for Prelims
- Act / BillRegistration of Electors Rules of 1960 governs the procedures for voter list inclusion.
- Fact47,56,722 voters were excluded during the Special Intensive Revision in Delhi.
- Fact32.78% of the pre-SIR voters in Delhi were excluded under the ASDD category.
- BodyForm 6 is the prescribed form for first-time applicants to the electoral roll.
- BodyForm 8 is the prescribed form for voters who have shifted locations.
Prelims practice question
With reference to the electoral roll maintenance in Delhi, consider the following statements:
- The ASDD category includes Absent, Shifted, Dead, or Duplicate electors.
- Form 8 is the prescribed form for first-time applicants to the electoral roll.
- The Registration of Electors Rules of 1960 governs the procedures for voter list inclusion.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a)1 only
- (b)1 and 2 only
- (c)1 and 3 only
- (d)1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only — Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Statement 2 is incorrect: Form 6 is the prescribed form for first-time applicants.
For Mains
Q. Critically examine the procedural challenges in electoral roll maintenance and the implications of administrative anomalies on the right to vote.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Procedural anomaly: Requirement of 'first-time' declaration for previously enrolled voters creates a barrier to suffrage.
- Administrative oversight: High exclusion rate (32.78%) in SIR highlights potential flaws in the ASDD categorization process.
- Legal conflict: Conflict between ECI's rigid form-based requirements and the constitutional mandate of universal suffrage.
Keywords: Universal Suffrage · Electoral Roll · Special Intensive Revision · Right to Vote · Administrative Anomaly · Election Commission of India
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