The ECI’s Lack of Transparency in Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls

Context

On June 24, the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, later extended to the entire country.
Aim: Verify ~8 crore voters in Bihar, ~100 crore nationwide.
Concerns: The process has been carried out without public consultation or adequate disclosure.

Key Facts & Figures

65 lakh voters deleted in Bihar’s draft list after Phase 1 SIR — ~27,000 per constituency.
Winning margins in 2020 elections: This deletion figure exceeds the margin in two-thirds of seats.
Deletion reasons (per ECI):
- Dead: 22 lakh
- Shifted/not found: 36 lakh
- Multiple registrations: 7 lakh
No full list of deleted names with reasons made public; booth-level lists shared with parties but without deletion reasons.
Only voters on 2003 Bihar rolls exempted from producing proof of citizenship.

Major Concerns

1. Lack of Transparency

No prior public notice before undertaking SIR in Bihar.
Absence of granular data → prevents verification and oversight.
The “independent appraisal” cited in ECI affidavit not included in the 800-page document.

2. Arbitrariness & Timing

3. Citizenship Proof Requirement

First time large-scale demand for documents proving citizenship (passport, birth certificates).
Raises fears of National Register of Citizens (NRC) via backdoor.
No public records to confirm ECI’s claim that similar checks were done in 2003.

4. Missing Historical Records

Orders/guidelines from 2003 intensive revision untraceable in public domain or ECI archives.
Journalists’ requests for records met with claims that they cannot be located.

Implications

For Electoral Integrity

Large-scale deletions risk disenfranchising eligible voters, disproportionately impacting marginalised groups.
Can potentially alter election outcomes.

For Democracy & Institutions

For Citizens’ Rights

Failure to prove citizenship may lead to loss of voting rights or referral to authorities under Citizenship Act, 1955.

Way Forward

Transparency & Disclosure
- Publish complete deletion lists with reasons.
- Share independent appraisal findings.
- Restore & publish historical revision records (e.g., 2003 Bihar).
Public Consultation
- Involve civil society & political parties before such exercises.
- Avoid timing that hinders verification (e.g., monsoon season).
Safeguards Against Arbitrary Disenfranchisement
- Robust grievance redressal mechanisms.
- Ensure no disproportionate targeting of vulnerable groups.