Opposition Raises Alarm Over Voter Deletion and EC Trust Deficit
Opposition parties express concern over the Election Commission's Systematic Inclusion of Registered Electors (SIR) initiative, alleging it could lead to voter deletion and erode trust in the electoral process.
Photo by Aditya Kumar
त्वरित संशोधन
Opposition leaders raised concerns about the Election Commission's (ECI) SIR initiative.
Allegations that SIR could lead to deletion of voters from electoral rolls.
Concerns about ECI's impartiality and trust deficit.
Issues cited include ECI's alleged inaction on Model Code of Conduct violations and the appointment process of Election Commissioners.
The debate occurred during the Parliament's Winter Session.
महत्वपूर्ण तिथियां
दृश्य सामग्री
Key Developments Affecting ECI's Independence & Electoral Integrity
This timeline illustrates recent legislative and judicial interventions concerning the Election Commission of India, directly addressing the 'trust deficit' and 'appointment process' concerns raised by the Opposition in the news.
The ECI, a cornerstone of Indian democracy, has consistently evolved its processes and faced scrutiny. Recent years have seen significant judicial and legislative interventions regarding its composition and functioning, aiming to balance independence with accountability, yet sometimes leading to debates over its autonomy and public trust.
- 2015Voluntary Aadhaar-Voter ID linking initiative launched by ECI to improve electoral roll accuracy.
- 2017Introduction of VVPATs (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail) in all elections to enhance transparency and auditability.
- 2020Debates intensify over the lack of a specific law for the appointment of Election Commissioners, leading to public interest litigations.
- March 2023Supreme Court (Anoop Baranwal v. Union of India) mandates a selection committee (PM, LoP, CJI) for EC appointments until Parliament enacts a law.
- Aug 2023ECI introduces 'Systematic Inclusion of Registered Electors (SIR)' initiative to update electoral rolls.
- Dec 2023Parliament passes Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, replacing CJI with a Union Cabinet Minister in the selection committee.
- Winter Session 2023Opposition raises alarm over SIR potentially leading to voter deletion and expresses 'trust deficit' in ECI, citing new appointment law and alleged MCC violations.
परीक्षा के दृष्टिकोण
Constitutional provisions related to ECI (Article 324)
Powers and functions of ECI, including electoral roll preparation and MCC enforcement
Appointment and removal process of Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners
Electoral reforms and challenges to ECI's independence
Role of independent institutions in a democracy
विस्तृत सारांश देखें
सारांश
During the Parliament's Winter Session, Opposition leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge and P. Chidambaram, voiced serious concerns regarding the Election Commission of India's (ECI) new initiative, the Systematic Inclusion of Registered Electors (SIR). They alleged that SIR could be a mechanism for deleting voters from electoral rolls and expressed a significant loss of trust in the ECI's impartiality.
The Opposition highlighted issues like the ECI's alleged failure to act on Model Code of Conduct violations, the appointment process of Election Commissioners, and the ECI's perceived lack of transparency. Essentially, this debate underscores the critical importance of maintaining the integrity and public trust in India's electoral system and its independent institutions like the ECI.
पृष्ठभूमि
नवीनतम घटनाक्रम
बहुविकल्पीय प्रश्न (MCQ)
1. Concerns regarding the Election Commission of India's (ECI) initiative 'Systematic Inclusion of Registered Electors (SIR)' were recently raised in Parliament. In this context, consider the following statements: 1. The SIR initiative aims to update electoral rolls by identifying and including eligible unregistered voters. 2. Opposition leaders have alleged that SIR could be misused for the deletion of existing voters. 3. The ECI is constitutionally mandated to prepare and revise electoral rolls for all elections to Parliament and State Legislatures. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
उत्तर देखें
सही उत्तर: D
Statement 1 is correct: The stated objective of SIR is indeed to include eligible unregistered voters. Statement 2 is correct: The news article explicitly mentions that Opposition leaders alleged SIR could be a mechanism for deleting voters. Statement 3 is correct: Article 324 of the Constitution mandates the ECI with the superintendence, direction, and control of the preparation of electoral rolls for elections to Parliament and to the Legislature of every State. Therefore, all three statements are correct.
2. With reference to the Election Commission of India (ECI), consider the following statements: 1. The Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners have equal powers and receive equal salaries. 2. The Chief Election Commissioner can be removed from office in the same manner and on the same grounds as a judge of the Supreme Court. 3. Other Election Commissioners can be removed by the President on the recommendation of the Chief Election Commissioner. 4. The Constitution specifies the term of office for the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1, 2 and 3 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1, 3 and 4 only
- D.1, 2, 3 and 4
उत्तर देखें
सही उत्तर: A
Statement 1 is correct: Article 324(5) states that the conditions of service and tenure of office of the Election Commissioners and the Regional Commissioners shall be such as the President may by rule determine. However, by convention and law, they hold equal powers and receive equal salaries. Statement 2 is correct: The Chief Election Commissioner can be removed only in the same manner and on the same grounds as a judge of the Supreme Court, ensuring his independence. Statement 3 is correct: Other Election Commissioners or a Regional Commissioner cannot be removed from office except on the recommendation of the Chief Election Commissioner. Statement 4 is incorrect: The Constitution does not specify the term of office for the CEC and ECs; it is determined by Parliament through law (currently 6 years or until 65 years of age, whichever is earlier).
3. In the context of the Election Commission of India's (ECI) powers and functions, which of the following statements is NOT correct?
- A.The ECI is responsible for the delimitation of constituencies for both Parliamentary and State Assembly elections.
- B.The ECI registers political parties and grants them recognition as national or state parties.
- C.The ECI advises the President on questions of disqualification of members of Parliament.
- D.The ECI prepares and periodically revises electoral rolls and registers all eligible voters.
उत्तर देखें
सही उत्तर: A
Statement A is NOT correct. Delimitation of constituencies is primarily carried out by a Delimitation Commission, which is appointed by the President and works in cooperation with the ECI. While the ECI provides administrative support and data, it is not directly responsible for the delimitation process itself. Statements B, C, and D are correct functions of the ECI. The ECI registers political parties and grants recognition (B), advises the President on disqualification of MPs (C), and prepares/revises electoral rolls (D).
4. Consider the following statements regarding electoral processes and reforms in India: 1. The Representation of the People Act, 1950, primarily deals with the conduct of elections and electoral offences. 2. The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is a statutory document enforced by the Election Commission of India. 3. Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were first used on a widespread basis in all general elections across India starting from 1998. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 only
- B.2 only
- C.3 only
- D.None of the statements is correct.
उत्तर देखें
सही उत्तर: D
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Representation of the People Act, 1950, primarily deals with the preparation and revision of electoral rolls, allocation of seats, and delimitation of constituencies. The Representation of the People Act, 1951, deals with the conduct of elections, administrative machinery for elections, and electoral offences. Statement 2 is incorrect: The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is a set of guidelines evolved through consensus among political parties and is enforced by the ECI, but it does not have statutory backing. Statement 3 is incorrect: EVMs were first used in a by-election in Kerala in 1982. Their widespread use across all general elections in India began in the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, not 1998.