← 3 October 2026's Current Affairs · Polity GA Prelims ★★★★☆ Mains ★★★☆☆
Lawyers' Group to Form Panel of Former Judges to Review SIR
Why in News?
Who runs India's electoral rolls? The Article 324 power behind the SIR review, explained for Polity
A five-member panel of former judges will independently review the SIR, while the Election Commission begins re-enrolling excluded eligible voters.
Why it matters: factual, Prelims-type
What you need to know
2 min read
The Lawyers Association for Constitution is forming a panel of five former Supreme Court and High Court judges to examine the constitutional and statutory validity, methodology and overall impact of the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Senior lawyers are expected to advise the panel throughout.
Separately, the Election Commission has started a drive to identify and re-enrol eligible voters who were excluded.
Sources: Topper IAS editorial (PIB / The Hindu / Indian Express)
Key facts
Remember these
- A five-member panel of former Supreme Court and High Court judges is being formed by the Lawyers Association for Constitution
- The panel will examine the constitutional and statutory validity, methodology and impact of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)
- Article 324 vests superintendence, direction and control of electoral rolls and elections in the Election Commission
- The Election Commission has begun a drive to identify and re-enrol eligible voters who were excluded
- Preparation of electoral rolls is governed by the Representation of the People Act, 1950
Prelims · Mains
How the exam will ask it
Prelims
- Article 324 vests the superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of electoral rolls and the conduct of elections to Parliament and State Legislatures in the Election Commission.
- The Election Commission of India is a constitutional body, whereas the review panel of former judges is a private, non-statutory initiative with no binding authority.
- Preparation of electoral rolls is governed by the Representation of the People Act, 1950, while the conduct of elections is governed by the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
Mains
GS-II Polity: the issue is whether a Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls excludes eligible citizens. The provision is Article 324 read with the Representation of the People Acts, which give the Election Commission wide but reviewable powers over rolls. The implication is a tension between roll accuracy and universal adult franchise under Article 326; the way forward is transparent methodology, easy re-enrolment and independent scrutiny.
Quick recall
Answer before you reveal
Superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of electoral rolls and the conduct of elections to Parliament and the State Legislatures are vested in the Election Commission by which provision of the Constitution?
- Article 280
- Article 324
- Article 148
- Article 315
Show answer
Answer: B — Correct: Article 324 — Article 324 vests superintendence, direction and control of electoral rolls and elections in the Election Commission. • Article 280 — wrong: Article 280 provides for the Finance Commission, which recommends tax devolution, not the conduct of elections. • Article 148 — wrong: Article 148 provides for the Comptroller and Auditor General, who is an audit authority. • Article 315 — wrong: Article 315 provides for the Union and State Public Service Commissions, which recruit officers.
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