EC to SC: Citizenship Not Revoked for Ineligibility on Electoral Roll

Quick Summary

• The Election Commission (EC) filed an 88-page affidavit with the Supreme Court confirming that ineligibility for inclusion in electoral rolls under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar does not equate to loss of citizenship.
• Allegations of SIR being a “citizenship screening” exercise were denied by the EC, stating its objective was maintaining the integrity of electoral rolls while preserving constitutional voting rights.
• Electors from the existing 2025 roll will automatically feature in draft rolls upon submission of enumeration forms, even without supporting documents.
• A claims period after draft roll publication on August 1 allows until September 1 for citizens to submit eligibility documents for final roll inclusion, set to publish on September 30.
• Voters from pre-existing rolls dating back to 2003 are exempted from proving eligibility via documentation; they need only submit partially completed forms adn extracts from the old rolls.
• documents like Aadhaar cards and ration cards were dismissed as sole proof due to their limited reliability and lack of citizenship verification.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The EC’s assurance about citizenship rights is significant as it attempts to address concerns over disenfranchisement and political inclusivity ahead of bihar elections. By clarifying procedures for verifying voter eligibility, including multiple opportunities during claims periods, it aims to balance clarity with accessibility.

However, exclusionary criteria tied solely to document submissions raise questions about barriers some marginalized populations might face due to systemic issues like lack of proper paperwork or past administrative lapses.The decision not to rely on Aadhaar or ration card stems logically from their limitations but underscores broader challenges around identity proof across India.

This process signifies a critical juncture where balancing fairness in voter verification with avoiding disenfranchisement could influence democratic participation trends beyond just bihar’s context. Continued scrutiny over implementation is vital given India’s socio-economic diversity.

Read more: The Hindu