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20 January 2026|The Hindu
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Polity & GovernanceNEWS

Supreme Court Concerned Over Bengal Voter Revision 'Stress and Strain'

SC urges EC to avoid 'stress and strain' during Bengal voter revision.

Background Context

The concept of electoral roll revision in India has evolved significantly since the first general elections in 1951-52. Initially, the focus was on creating a comprehensive and accurate voter list from scratch, a monumental task given the limited resources and widespread illiteracy. Over the decades, the process has been refined through various amendments to the Representation of the People Act, 1950, and the introduction of technology. The introduction of photo electoral rolls and EPIC (Electoral Photo Identity Card) aimed to curb impersonation and enhance the integrity of the electoral process. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has consistently strived to improve voter registration and participation, addressing issues like disenfranchisement due to migration, gender bias in registration, and errors in voter lists. Special drives and awareness campaigns are regularly conducted to ensure that all eligible citizens are included in the electoral rolls.

The Supreme Court has expressed concern over the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) exercise in West Bengal, where approximately 1.36 crore people (almost 20% of the population) have received notices from the Election Commission to explain "logical discrepancies" in their names and family backgrounds. These discrepancies include having more than six children, mismatches in name spellings, a small age gap between children and parents, and age differences with grandparents being less than 40 years. The court has directed the poll body to display the names of individuals under the 'logical discrepancies' category at gram panchayat bhavans, block offices in rural areas, and ward offices in urban centers to alleviate the difficulties faced by the people.

Key Facts

1

1.36 crore people received notices in West Bengal

2

Notices due to 'logical discrepancies' in voter data

3

Discrepancies: age gaps, name spellings, family size

Latest Developments

In recent years, the ECI has focused on leveraging technology to further streamline the voter registration and revision process. The introduction of the National Electoral Roll Purification and Authentication Programme (NERPAP) aimed to improve the accuracy and integrity of electoral rolls by linking them with Aadhaar numbers. However, this initiative faced legal challenges and concerns regarding privacy. The ECI has also been working on developing a more robust online voter registration system to facilitate easier registration for citizens, especially young voters and those who have recently moved. Furthermore, efforts are being made to address the issue of multiple entries in electoral rolls and to remove deceased voters from the lists. The focus is now on ensuring a more inclusive and error-free electoral process through continuous revision and technological advancements.

2 Key Concepts to Understand

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