Draft SIR 2.0: Electoral Roll Deletions in Nine States, UTs
Draft SIR 2.0 reveals significant voter roll deletions across multiple states/UTs.
Photo by Ian Talmacs
Key Facts
Elector deletions: 13% in 9 states, 3 UTs
Reason: Deaths, migration, duplicate registrations
UPSC Exam Angles
GS Paper II: Polity and Governance - Electoral processes, Election Commission of India
Link to constitutional provisions related to elections (Article 324)
Potential for questions on electoral reforms and challenges to free and fair elections
Visual Insights
Electoral Roll Deletions: SIR 2.0 Impact
Map showing states and UTs with electoral roll deletions under the draft Special Summary Revision (SIR) 2.0. Color intensity indicates the relative percentage of deletions.
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More Information
Background
The concept of electoral roll purification has deep roots in the history of democratic elections. Initially, voter lists were often rudimentary and prone to manipulation. The Representation of the People Act, 1950, laid the foundation for systematic electoral roll preparation and maintenance.
Over the decades, various amendments and technological advancements have aimed to improve the accuracy and integrity of voter lists. The introduction of photo electoral rolls, EPIC (Elector's Photo Identity Card), and now digital databases have been crucial milestones. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has consistently strived to eliminate duplicate registrations, address demographic changes, and ensure that only eligible citizens are included in the electoral rolls.
This continuous process is essential for upholding the principles of free and fair elections.
Latest Developments
Recent years have witnessed increased scrutiny and efforts to leverage technology for electoral roll management. The linking of Aadhaar with voter IDs, though voluntary, has been promoted to curb duplicate registrations. The ECI has also focused on using data analytics and GIS mapping to identify discrepancies and anomalies in voter lists.
Furthermore, there's been a growing emphasis on engaging with civil society organizations and local communities to verify voter information and address grievances. Looking ahead, the ECI is expected to further enhance its digital infrastructure and explore innovative solutions like blockchain technology to ensure the security and transparency of electoral data. The focus will likely remain on continuous updating and purification of electoral rolls to maintain the credibility of the electoral process.
Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. Consider the following statements regarding the Special Summary Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls: 1. SIR is conducted periodically by the Election Commission of India to update and purify electoral rolls. 2. Deletions during SIR are solely based on reported deaths and migration. 3. The process involves field verification and public awareness campaigns. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 and 3 only
- B.2 only
- C.1 and 2 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: A
Statement 1 is correct as SIR is indeed for updating and purifying electoral rolls. Statement 3 is also correct as it involves field verification and public awareness. Statement 2 is incorrect because deletions are based on multiple factors like deaths, migration, and duplicate registrations.
2. Which of the following constitutional articles empowers the Election Commission of India to supervise and control elections?
- A.Article 320
- B.Article 324
- C.Article 356
- D.Article 368
Show Answer
Answer: B
Article 324 of the Indian Constitution empowers the Election Commission of India to supervise, direct, and control the preparation of electoral rolls for, and the conduct of, all elections to the Parliament and to the Legislature of every State and of elections to the offices of President and Vice President held under this Constitution.
3. Assertion (A): Periodic revisions of electoral rolls are essential for maintaining the integrity of the electoral process. Reason (R): Demographic changes, migration, and mortality necessitate regular updates to voter lists. In the context of the above, which of the following is correct?
- A.Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
- B.Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
- C.A is true, but R is false
- D.A is false, but R is true
Show Answer
Answer: A
Both the assertion and the reason are true. Regular revisions are indeed essential for electoral integrity, and demographic changes, migration, and mortality are the primary reasons why these revisions are necessary. Therefore, R is the correct explanation of A.
Part of Story Threads
Controversy Over Electoral Roll Revisions and Voter Deletions (Jan 2026)
Concerns raised regarding large-scale voter deletions and alleged biases in the electoral roll revision process, particularly in Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, during January 2026.
Electoral Roll Revision Concerns - January 2026
Controversies surrounding electoral roll revisions in Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, including allegations of voter deletion and flawed processes.