The Election Commission will hold an important meeting with Chief Electoral Officers of all states today. The framework for a Summary Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list will be decided in this meeting. For the first time since 2003, an intensive revision of the voter list will be conducted across the entire country.
New Delhi: The Election Commission (Election Commission of India) has started major preparations to conduct the upcoming assembly and Lok Sabha elections smoothly and transparently. In this regard, on Wednesday (September 10), the Commission convened an important meeting of the Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) of all states and Union Territories. In this meeting, the framework for commencing a Summary Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list nationwide will be finalized.
The objective of the meeting is not only to revise the voter list but also to make the election process transparent and credible. Issues ranging from the Model Code of Conduct to technical improvements and bringing transparency to the voter list will be discussed.
Why is a Review of the Voter List Necessary?
In India, regular amendments to the Voter List (Voter List) are made annually, but an intensive revision (Intensive Revision) has not occurred since 2003. Due to urbanization and large-scale migration, the possibility of duplicate names and incorrect entries in the voter list has increased. This is precisely why the Commission has decided to initiate a comprehensive and rigorous verification process this time.
Under this process, the name, address, and eligibility documents of every voter will be re-examined. This will ensure that fake names are removed from the voter list and no eligible voter is missed.
Bihar Becomes the Model
This process was adopted in Bihar recently, prior to the assembly elections. There, new enumeration forms and a list of 11 types of documents were released. All existing voters were required to fill out the form. Furthermore, for names added after 2003, it was made mandatory to provide eligibility documents.
This extensive process is now in its final stage, and Bihar's final voter list will be published on September 30. This model from Bihar will now serve as the basis for other states and Union Territories across the country.
Instructions Issued in June
The Election Commission had already instructed the CEOs of all states and Union Territories in June to prepare for this process. The meeting scheduled for Wednesday is a review of this preparation.
The meeting will be chaired by the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gnyanesh Kumar. CEOs will be required to submit reports from their respective states. These reports will include details on the number of voters, previous revision data, and the current status of amendments.
Agenda for the Meeting
The meeting commenced at 10 AM at the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management in Dwarka, Delhi. The agenda for this meeting is very comprehensive. It includes—
- Summary Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list
- Identification of duplicate and fake names
- Framework for adherence to the Model Code of Conduct
- Technical improvements in the electoral process
- Measures to ensure transparency and credibility
Following the meeting, it will be decided in which states the SIR process will commence, when, and in what manner.
Why is this Revision Important Before Elections?
Elections are the biggest festival of democracy, and accuracy in the voter list is extremely crucial for them. If the voter list is not accurate, many eligible voters will be deprived of their right to vote, and many ineligible individuals might be able to cast their vote.
Looking at the situation from 2003 to the present, there has been large-scale migration and urbanization in the country. Millions of people have moved from one state to another for work or education. In such a scenario, their names often remain on the old voter lists and are also added in new locations. This discrepancy raises questions about the transparency of elections.
Impact on Upcoming Elections
This initiative by the Commission will have a direct impact on the upcoming assembly elections. In states where elections are due in the next few months, this process will be expedited. This will ensure that the voter list is completely clean and updated before the elections.
This time, the Commission also aims to extensively utilize technological tools. Processes such as digital forms, online verification, and Aadhaar linking may also be included.
Commission's Priority
The Election Commission has always maintained that it conducts impartial and credible elections. However, in recent years, opposition parties have raised questions on various issues, from EVMs to voter lists. Therefore, the Commission is keen to avoid any lapses this time. Through processes like SIR, an attempt will be made to demonstrate the Election Commission's commitment to transparency and accuracy.
An Appeal to the Public as Well
The revision of the voter list is not solely the responsibility of officials. The public will also be involved in this process. Every voter will have the opportunity to check their entry and get any errors corrected. The Commission will launch a widespread awareness campaign regarding this process to encourage maximum participation from the public.
