The Question of Electoral Roll Purity and the Imperative of Special Intensive Revision (SIR)— By Dr. Priyanka Saurabh

In India, elections are not merely a political exercise—they are the grandest celebration of democracy. Voting empowers citizens to voice their aspirations and influence the direction of governance. During this period, the administration undertakes extensive measures to ensure fairness, security, and transparency—from preparing polling stations to conducting awareness campaigns. These efforts by the Election Commission strengthen public trust. Casting a vote is not just a right; it is a responsibility that helps shape the nation’s future.

As the world’s largest democracy, India places ultimate authority in the hands of its people. Governments are chosen by citizens, and the Constitution assigns the responsibility of conducting elections to an autonomous Election Commission under Article 324. At the heart of this entire process lies the electoral roll—the foundation through which citizens exercise their franchise. Its accuracy and credibility are critical to the stability of democracy. This makes the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) an essential and constitutionally significant process.

Electoral roll errors appear in many forms—names of deceased individuals, duplicate entries, missing names of eligible voters, or outdated addresses. Such discrepancies cast doubt on the integrity of elections. Past revisions have revealed the magnitude of this issue. In West Bengal, for instance, nearly 47 lakh names were removed from a list of 7.6 crore voters after an intensive revision exposed outdated and invalid entries. Similar large-scale corrections in Bihar highlight how distorted the rolls can become in the absence of regular updates.

These errors are not mere technical lapses—they directly affect electoral fairness, the right to representation, and public trust. A missing name deprives a citizen of the fundamental democratic right to vote. Conversely, the presence of deceased or migrated voters increases the risk of impersonation and misuse. Both scenarios erode the legitimacy of democracy.

Some critics attempt to portray SIR as political interference, but such apprehensions are unfounded. Purifying the electoral rolls is not about benefiting any political party—it is about safeguarding free and fair elections. The Election Commission functions as an independent constitutional body, and its decisions enjoy judicial protection. The Supreme Court has repeatedly emphasized that the integrity of the electoral roll is essential to the conduct of fair elections.

Citizen participation is equally vital during SIR. Many individuals fail to verify their entries or report errors, allowing inaccuracies to persist. This indifference weakens democracy. To address this, the Election Commission has expanded digital facilities such as the Voter Helpline App, online forms, and dedicated portals, enabling citizens to update their details with ease.

Those opposing SIR must understand that the process aims to eliminate discrepancies, prevent fraudulent voting, and ensure an authentic voter base. In states where revision was stalled due to political objections, significant inaccuracies were later discovered, prompting courts to issue directives for immediate purification. Opposing SIR is, therefore, opposing democratic values.

With more than 960 million voters, updating the electoral roll in a vast country like India is a complex and continuous challenge. It cannot be viewed solely as a government responsibility—it is a civic duty. The Election Commission provides the framework, but its success depends on public cooperation. Ensuring the accuracy of one’s electoral entry is as important as casting a vote on election day.

Ultimately, democracy is not confined to the day of polling—it is the functioning of an entire system. The purity of the electoral roll is central to this system. SIR strengthens the credibility, transparency, and fairness of elections, preserving the very soul of democracy. Raising awareness, encouraging citizen participation, and supporting processes like SIR is the duty of every responsible citizen.