Election Commission orders special voter drive in 20 states to address left-out voters

Polity and Governance · 2 October 2026 · Based on Indian Express (original report)

Must read — 2 past UPSC questions on this theme (Prelims GS-1 2017, Mains GS-2 2026).

2-minute summary

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has ordered a special voter registration drive across 20 states and Union Territories where the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise has concluded. This directive follows intense scrutiny over the deletion of approximately 13 crore names from draft electoral rolls across 30 states and UTs. Internal friction within the ECI was revealed, with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi raising objections 14 times over decisions made without their knowledge. Key concerns included unauthorized changes to Form 6 (which blocked first-time voters whose parents had been deleted) and the centralized control of the 'ECINet' software, which restricted the statutory powers of local Electoral Registration Officers (EROs). In response, the ECI has reverted to the plain statutory Form 6 for continuous updation, exempted voters with 'logical discrepancies' from mandatory in-person hearings, and formed an independent expert committee to review ECINet.

Why it's in the news

The ECI's corrective special drive highlights critical administrative and legal challenges in electoral roll management, specifically regarding voter exclusion, internal institutional dissent, and the centralization of statutory powers through digital platforms like ECINet.

Facts to remember

  • The Election Commission of India (ECI) ordered a special drive in 20 states and UTs where the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) has been completed.
  • Approximately 13 crore names were struck off draft electoral rolls across 30 states and Union Territories during the SIR exercise.
  • The statutory framework for voter registration forms is governed by the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.
  • ECINet is the centralized software platform on which India's electoral rolls are prepared and hosted.
  • Under the Representation of the People Act, 1950, the statutory responsibility and legal authority for preparing and maintaining electoral rolls lie with local Electoral Registration Officers (EROs).

Background and context

The preparation and maintenance of accurate electoral rolls are fundamental to democratic integrity. Under the Representation of the People Act, 1950, this task is decentralized, empowering local Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) to verify, include, and delete names. However, the ECI's transition to 'ECINet'—a centralized digital database—has led to a conflict between technological centralization and statutory decentralization. While centralization aims to eliminate duplicate entries and clean the rolls, it has inadvertently restricted the statutory powers of EROs to reverse incorrect deletions. Furthermore, unilateral administrative changes to Form 6 (the registration form for new voters) created structural barriers for first-time voters. This has sparked a debate on institutional governance within the ECI, emphasizing the need for collective decision-making as established by the Supreme Court in the T.N. Seshan case (1995).

Constitutional provisions

  • Article 324 — Vests the superintendence, direction, and control of elections in the Election Commission of India.
  • Article 326 — Guarantees adult suffrage, establishing that every citizen of India who is not less than 18 years of age is entitled to be registered as a voter.

Committees and reports

  • Dinesh Goswami Committee on Electoral Reforms — Recommended measures to improve the accuracy of electoral rolls, introduce photo identity cards, and prevent arbitrary deletions.

Previous UPSC questions on this theme

  • Prelims GS-1 2017 — Consider the following statements: 1. The Election Commission of India is a five-member body. 2. Union Ministry of Home Affairs decides the election schedule for the conduct of both general elections and bye-elections. 3. Election Commission resolves the disputes relating to splits/mergers of recognised political parties. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 3 only
  • Mains GS-2 2026 — Is the right to vote a fundamental right? Discuss the position of the Election Commission of India while undertaking the revision of electoral rolls. Can it also examine the question of citizenship of voters?

Mains practice: Is the right to vote a fundamental right? Discuss the position of the Election Commission of India while undertaking the revision of electoral rolls. Can it also examine the question of citizenship of voters?

The nature of the right to vote in India has evolved through judicial interpretations. In *Anoop Baranwal v. Union of India (2023)* and *PUCL v. Union of India (2003)*, the Supreme Court held that while the right to vote is a constitutional right under Article 326, the 'expression' of a voter's choice is a facet of the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a). Thus, it is a statutory right deeply intertwined with fundamental freedoms.

• **Role of the ECI in Electoral Roll Revision**: Under Article 324 of the Constitution and the Representation of the People Act (RPA), 1950, the ECI is mandated to maintain accurate and updated electoral rolls. However, this power must be exercised in accordance with the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960. The statutory authority to include or delete names rests with the local Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) under Section 15 of the RPA 1950. Recent controversies regarding the centralization of 'ECINet' software highlight that technological interventions must not override the statutory autonomy of EROs or lead to mass arbitrary exclusions without due process.

• **Power to Examine Citizenship**: The ECI, through its EROs, has the authority to verify citizenship during electoral roll revision. Since Article 326 limits franchise to citizens, Section 20 of the RPA 1950 empowers EROs to satisfy themselves of an applicant's citizenship before enrollment. However, the ECI is not the final adjudicating authority on citizenship; that jurisdiction lies with Foreigners Tribunals or courts under the Citizenship Act, 1955.

**Way Forward**:

• **Decentralized Verification**: Adhere to the principle of subsidiarity by empowering EROs and Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to conduct physical verifications, as seen in Maharashtra's directive to avoid hasty deletions.

• **Independent Audits**: Implement the ECI's decision to have independent technical experts (from IITs/IIITs) audit ECINet to prevent software-induced disenfranchisement.

• **Adherence to Natural Justice**: Ensure mandatory prior hearings and physical document collection before any deletion, upholding the democratic promise of inclusive elections.

Prelims practice questions

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding the preparation and revision of electoral rolls in India: 1. The statutory responsibility for the preparation and revision of electoral rolls lies primarily with the Union Ministry of Law and Justice. 2. The Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, provide the legal framework for the registration of electors and the design of voter registration forms. 3. Under the Representation of the People Act, 1950, the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) is the statutory authority empowered to decide on the inclusion or deletion of names in the electoral roll. How many of the above statements are correct?

  1. Only one
  2. Only two
  3. All three
  4. None

Answer: B. Statement 1 is incorrect because the statutory responsibility for preparing and revising electoral rolls lies with the Election Commission of India and its designated officers, not the Ministry of Law and Justice. Statement 2 is correct as the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960 govern these processes. Statement 3 is correct as the ERO is the designated statutory authority under Section 15 of the RPA 1950.

Q2. Consider the following statements: Statement-I: The Election Commission of India cannot unilaterally amend the voter registration forms (such as Form 6) prescribed under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960. Statement-II: The power to make or amend rules under the Representation of the People Act, 1950, is vested in the Central Government, in consultation with the Election Commission of India. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
  2. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct but Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
  3. Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
  4. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

Answer: A. Both statements are correct. Under Section 28 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, the power to make rules (including amending forms like Form 6) is vested in the Central Government (Ministry of Law and Justice), which must consult the ECI. The ECI cannot unilaterally alter statutory forms, which is why the unilateral changes to Form 6 during the 2026 SIR were flagged as unauthorized.

Q3. Which of the following authorities has the statutory power under the Representation of the People Act, 1950, to prepare and revise the electoral roll for an assembly constituency?

  1. District Election Officer (DEO)
  2. Director General (Information Technology), ECI
  3. Electoral Registration Officer (ERO)
  4. Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of the State

Answer: C. Under Section 15 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, the electoral roll for each constituency is prepared and revised by the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO), who is designated or nominated by the Election Commission in consultation with the State Government.

Revision flashcards

  • Which Act and Rules govern the preparation, revision, and maintenance of electoral rolls in India? The Representation of the People Act, 1950, and the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.
  • Who is the statutory authority responsible for the preparation and revision of the electoral roll for a constituency? The Electoral Registration Officer (ERO), as designated under Section 15 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.
  • Why did the Election Commission of India order a 'special drive' in 20 states in September 2026? To re-enrol eligible and young voters who were left out or deleted during the nationwide Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
  • What software platform, criticized by Election Commissioners in 2026 for centralized control, is used by the ECI to prepare and host electoral rolls? ECINet.
  • Why is unilateral centralization of electoral roll software (like ECINet) legally problematic? It strips statutory local authorities (EROs, DEOs, CEOs) of their legal power and autonomy to correct, update, and manage electoral rolls as mandated by law.

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