Tamil Nadu's voter list sees removal of 70 lakh names

The removal of approximately 70 lakh names from Tamil Nadu's voter list was part of a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. This exercise, directed by the Election Commission of India (ECI), aimed to clean up the electoral roll by removing duplicate, shifted, deceased, and otherwise ineligible entries, ensuring a more accurate voter list for the upcoming elections.

The ECI typically follows a structured process for large-scale revisions: * Draft Roll Publication: A draft electoral roll is published, inviting claims and objections from the public. * Claims and Objections Period: A specific period is provided for eligible voters to add their names and for objections to be raised against ineligible entries. * Verification and Deletion: The ECI verifies the claims and objections, deleting ineligible names (duplicate, deceased, shifted) and adding eligible voters. * Final Roll Publication: The final electoral roll is published after incorporating all valid changes.

• •Draft Roll Publication: A draft electoral roll is published, inviting claims and objections from the public.
• •Claims and Objections Period: A specific period is provided for eligible voters to add their names and for objections to be raised against ineligible entries.
• •Verification and Deletion: The ECI verifies the claims and objections, deleting ineligible names (duplicate, deceased, shifted) and adding eligible voters.
• •Final Roll Publication: The final electoral roll is published after incorporating all valid changes.

UPSC might ask a direct factual question: 'Approximately how many names were deleted from Tamil Nadu's voter list in the Special Intensive Revision of 2025-2026?' The trap would be to offer close but incorrect numbers (e.g., 60 lakh, 80 lakh) to test your precise recall. They might also frame it negatively: 'Which of the following is NOT the approximate number of voters deleted...'

The Representation of the People Act, 1950 provides the legal framework for the preparation and maintenance of electoral rolls in India. The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Tamil Nadu is conducted in accordance with the provisions of this Act, ensuring that the voter list is updated and accurate as per the law. The Act specifies the criteria for voter eligibility and the procedures for inclusion and deletion of names from the electoral roll.

In a 'critically examine' answer, you could: * Acknowledge the ECI's proactive measures like SIR to remove ineligible voters, as seen in Tamil Nadu. * Highlight the scale of deletion (70 lakh) as evidence of potential inaccuracies in the initial rolls, suggesting systemic issues. * Discuss the importance of balancing deletion with ensuring no eligible voters are left out. Mention the addition of 27.5 lakh voters during the claims period. * Raise concerns about whether the process is truly inclusive and accessible to all, especially marginalized communities.

• •Acknowledge the ECI's proactive measures like SIR to remove ineligible voters, as seen in Tamil Nadu.
• •Highlight the scale of deletion (70 lakh) as evidence of potential inaccuracies in the initial rolls, suggesting systemic issues.
• •Discuss the importance of balancing deletion with ensuring no eligible voters are left out. Mention the addition of 27.5 lakh voters during the claims period.
• •Raise concerns about whether the process is truly inclusive and accessible to all, especially marginalized communities.

While cleaning up voter lists is essential, large-scale deletions can raise concerns. If not done carefully, eligible voters might be wrongly removed, disenfranchising them. This could disproportionately affect vulnerable populations who may lack the resources or awareness to re-register. It's crucial to ensure the process is transparent and accessible to all citizens to maintain the integrity of the electoral process.