Special Intensive Revision (SIR) 2.0 and Electoral Rolls
Context
The Election Commission (EC) has launched the second phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) 2.0 of electoral rolls.
This phase covers 12 States and Union Territories that include poll-bound Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala, and Puducherry.
The exercise will update the voter lists for 51 crore voters.
The first phase of the SIR was conducted in Bihar.
Basics of the Electoral Roll and SIR
An electoral roll (or voter list) is the official list of all eligible voters for a specific constituency.
The EC is required by law to revise the voter list before every election or as needed.
The last major SIR was conducted over 21 years ago (between 2002 and 2004.)
The SIR is an intensive process to update the voter list by:
Adding new eligible voters.
Removing bogus voters such as those who are dead, have relocated (shifted), or are registered at more than one place.
Correcting any mistakes or repetitions in the list.
Eligibility to Register as a Voter in Electoral Roll:
The eligibility to be registered as a voter is based on Article 326 of the Constitution and the Representation of the People Act, 1950.
A person must be:
A citizen of India.
Not less than 18 years of age on the qualifying date.
Ordinarily resident in the constituency.
Not otherwise disqualified under the law.
Disqualifications (Section 16 of the RP Act, 1950)
The Representation of the People Act (RP Act), 1950, governs the preparation of electoral rolls.
Section 16 of this Act explicitly lists the disqualifications for registration in an electoral roll.
A person is disqualified if they:
Are not a citizen of India; or
Are of unsound mind and stand so declared by a competent court; or
Are for the time being disqualified from voting under laws relating to corrupt practices and other election offences.