Special Intensive Revision (SIR) (What is it?)
- Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is a comprehensive exercise conducted by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to verify and update electoral rolls.
- It involves house-to-house verification, scrutiny of voter details, inclusion of eligible electors and deletion of ineligible or duplicate entries.
- It is undertaken under the ECI’s constitutional and statutory authority to supervise the preparation and revision of electoral rolls.
Key Features of SIR
1. House-to-House Verification: Booth Level Officers (BLOs) undertake field-level verification of electors and their particulars.
2. Inclusion and Deletion: Facilitates inclusion of eligible voters and removal of duplicate, deceased or otherwise ineligible entries.
3. Electoral Roll Accuracy: Aims to improve the accuracy and credibility of electoral rolls.
4. Claims and Objections: Provides an opportunity to submit claims for inclusion and objections against incorrect entries.
5. Intensive Documentation: May involve verification of identity, age and eligibility through prescribed documents and procedures.
Constitutional and Legal Framework
- Article 324: Vests the ECI with the superintendence, direction and control of elections.
- Article 326: Provides for elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies on the basis of adult suffrage.
- Representation of the People Act, 1950: Provides the statutory framework for preparation and revision of electoral rolls.
- Registration of Electors Rules, 1960: Prescribes procedures relating to electoral registration and revision.
Conclusion
SIR aims to strengthen electoral roll accuracy, but its implementation must ensure transparency, procedural fairness and the inclusion of every eligible voter.
| This Concept has been discussed in the following article: Electoral Rolls Can not Determine Welfare Beneficiaries |