Flawed by design, exclusionary in impact

Polity & Governance · 9 October 2026 · Based on The Hindu (original report)

Must read — 2 past UPSC questions on this theme (Mains GS-2 2026, Prelims GS-1 2017); also both a Prelims fact and a Mains debate.

2-minute summary

The Election Commission of India's (ECI) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, has drawn sharp criticism for causing large-scale, exclusionary voter deletions. Designed to 'purify' the rolls, the exercise resulted in the deletion of 13.37 crore names during the draft stage across 30 States and Union Territories. Critics argue that the SIR inverted the standard procedures laid down in the ECI's Manual on Electoral Rolls (2023). Instead of giving 'probative value' to existing voters and placing the burden of proof on objectors, the SIR shifted the burden of proving eligibility onto the electors themselves, requiring decades-old documentation. Furthermore, the use of automated 'logical discrepancy' software flagged millions of genuine voters for minor spelling or age-gap anomalies. Restoring these deleted voters is hindered because they must re-apply using Form 6 (meant for new voters), which conflates returning voters with first-time 18-year-olds and prevents independent audits.

Why it's in the news

The draft electoral rolls published after the ECI's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in October 2026 revealed the deletion of over 13 crore voters. This has triggered a major constitutional debate regarding voter disenfranchisement, technological exclusion, and the balance between roll purification and universal franchise.

Facts to remember

  • Under Article 324 of the Indian Constitution, the superintendence, direction, and control of the preparation of electoral rolls is vested in the Election Commission of India.
  • The ECI's Manual on Electoral Rolls (2023) defines an intensive revision as a 'de novo process' conducted without reference to the earlier existing roll.
  • During the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) draft stage in 2026, approximately 13.37 crore names were struck off across 30 States and Union Territories.
  • The Representation of the People Act, 1950, is the primary legislative framework governing the allocation of seats and the registration of electors for Parliament and State Legislatures.

Background and context

Since India's first general election in 1951-52, which registered 17 crore voters under the leadership of Sukumar Sen, the ECI's guiding philosophy has been 'radical inclusion' to overcome socio-economic and literacy barriers. Over the decades, the process transitioned from manual door-to-door enumeration to digital database management. To eliminate duplicate, deceased, or shifted electors, the ECI has increasingly relied on technology-driven 'purification' drives. However, the 2026 Special Intensive Revision (SIR) represents a controversial shift. By deploying strict algorithmic filters to flag 'logical discrepancies' (such as spelling mismatches or unusual parent-child age gaps) and requiring voters to prove citizenship or parentage dating back over two decades, the exercise has faced allegations of systemic disenfranchisement, reversing the historical trend of voter facilitation.

Constitutional provisions

  • Article 324 — Vests the superintendence, direction, and control of elections, including the preparation of electoral rolls, in the Election Commission.
  • Article 325 — Mandates that no person shall be ineligible for inclusion in the electoral roll on grounds of religion, race, caste, or sex.
  • Article 326 — Establishes universal adult suffrage as the basis for elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies.

Committees and reports

  • Dinesh Goswami Committee on Electoral Reforms — Recommended measures to improve the accuracy of electoral rolls and suggested multi-member composition for the ECI to ensure balanced decision-making.
  • Law Commission of India 255th Report on Electoral Reforms — Emphasized safeguarding the integrity of the voter registration process and strengthening the independent functioning of the ECI.

Previous UPSC questions on this theme

  • 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?
  • 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 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 Supreme Court of India, in landmark judgments such as *People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) v. Union of India*, clarified that while the right to vote is not a fundamental right under Part III, it is a critical constitutional right under Article 326. It also acts as an expression of voter preference, which is protected under the freedom of speech and expression (Article 19(1)(a)).

• **Position of the ECI in Revision of Electoral Rolls**:

Under Article 324 of the Constitution and the Representation of the People Act (RPA), 1950, the ECI has the sole mandate to prepare and revise electoral rolls. The ECI's Manual on Electoral Rolls (2023) outlines that intensive revision is a *de novo* process (Paragraph 9.3.1). However, during the 2026 Special Intensive Revision (SIR), which saw over 13 crore deletions, the ECI inverted the standard procedure. Instead of giving 'probative value' (Paragraph 7.4.2) to existing electors, the onus of proving eligibility was shifted to the citizens, leading to the exclusion of marginalized, illiterate, and migrant populations.

• **ECI's Authority on Citizenship**:

Under Section 16 of the RPA 1950, a person must be a citizen of India to be registered as a voter. Thus, the ECI has the authority to verify citizenship for the limited purpose of electoral enrollment. However, the ECI is not a citizenship-determining tribunal (such as those under the Foreigners Act, 1946). The ECI Manual mandates that if citizenship is doubted, the burden of proof lies on the objector, not the elector.

**Way Forward**:

• **Procedural Safeguards**: Re-establish the principle that presence on a preceding roll carries 'probative value', placing the burden of proof on the state or the objector.

• **Audit Transparency**: Modify Form 6 under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, to distinguish returning deleted voters from first-time 18-year-olds, enabling public audits.

• **Algorithmic Accountability**: Implement human-in-the-loop verification before automated 'logical discrepancy' software deletes names.

In conclusion, universal adult franchise is part of the basic structure of the Constitution. The ECI must balance administrative purity with radical inclusion to ensure no genuine citizen is disenfranchised.

Prelims practice questions

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding the preparation and revision of electoral rolls in India: 1. The ECI's Manual on Electoral Rolls (2023) states that during an intensive revision, the onus of proving citizenship lies primarily on the elector rather than the objector. 2. The Representation of the People Act, 1951, is the primary legislation governing the preparation and revision of electoral rolls. 3. Under Article 325 of the Constitution, no person can be excluded from the electoral roll on the grounds of religion, race, caste, or sex. How many of the above statements are correct?

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

Answer: A. Statement 1 is incorrect: The ECI's Manual (Paragraph 7.4.2) states that if an elector's citizenship is in doubt, 'probative value' must be given to their presence on the preceding roll, placing the onus on the objector, not the elector. Statement 2 is incorrect: The Representation of the People Act, 1950, governs the preparation of electoral rolls, while the 1951 Act governs the actual conduct of elections. Statement 3 is correct: Article 325 explicitly prohibits exclusion from electoral rolls based on religion, race, caste, or sex. Therefore, only one statement is correct.

Q2. Consider the following statements regarding the registration of voters in India: 1. Form 6 is used both for the registration of newly eligible 18-year-old voters and for the restoration of electors whose names were deleted. 2. The Supreme Court has ruled that the right to vote is a fundamental right guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution. 3. The ECI is legally empowered to function as a primary tribunal for determining the citizenship of Indian residents under the Citizenship Act, 1955. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 only
  2. 1 and 2 only
  3. 2 and 3 only
  4. 3 only

Answer: A. Statement 1 is correct: Under current ECI procedures, deleted voters must apply via Form 6 (the application for new voters) to be restored. Statement 2 is incorrect: The Supreme Court has held that the right to vote is a constitutional/statutory right under Article 326, not a fundamental right under Part III. Statement 3 is incorrect: The ECI is not a citizenship tribunal under the Citizenship Act, 1955; its verification powers are limited to determining eligibility for electoral rolls.

Q3. Which of the following best describes the principle of 'probative value' as outlined in the Election Commission of India's Manual on Electoral Rolls?

  1. The process of verifying voter identity through biometric matching against the national Aadhaar database.
  2. The authority of judicial officers to summarily delete names from the draft roll based on automated logical discrepancies.
  3. The requirement that an elector must produce a parent's birth certificate to prove citizenship during intensive revisions.
  4. The presumption of eligibility given to an elector's presence on a preceding roll when their citizenship is called into question.

Answer: D. According to Paragraph 7.4.2 of the ECI's Manual on Electoral Rolls, 'probative value' means that if an elector's citizenship is in doubt, their presence on the preceding roll is presumed to be valid evidence of eligibility, shifting the burden of proof to the objector.

Revision flashcards

  • Which Article of the Indian Constitution vests the superintendence, direction, and control of the preparation of electoral rolls in the Election Commission of India? Article 324. It gives the ECI the constitutional authority to manage all aspects of elections, including roll preparation.
  • What is the primary difference between the Representation of the People Act (RPA) of 1950 and the RPA of 1951? The RPA 1950 deals with voter qualifications, registration, and delimitation of constituencies. The RPA 1951 governs the actual conduct of elections, corrupt practices, and disputes.
  • In the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) draft rolls published by October 2026, approximately how many voter names were deleted across 30 States and UTs? Around 13.37 crore names. This massive deletion rate sparked widespread concerns over voter disenfranchisement.
  • In October 2026, which application form was criticized for being used for both new voter registration and the restoration of deleted voters? Form 6. Critics argue this dual use prevents independent audits by masking returning voters as first-time voters.
  • Why does the 'de novo' nature of intensive electoral roll revisions risk excluding marginalized or illiterate voters? It ignores previous rolls, requiring voters to actively re-prove eligibility. Illiterate or migrant voters often lack the documents or awareness to complete this process.

All stories for 9 October 2026 · ← 8 October 2026 · 10 October 2026 →