← 28 September 2026's Current Affairs · Polity GS-2 Prelims ★★★★☆ Mains ★★★★★
EC's electoral roll revision draws citizenship-proof row
ಸುದ್ದಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಏಕೆ?
Why a valid Indian passport wasn't enough in the SIR row: the RP Act, 1950 explained
The Election Commission's SIR exercise has drawn criticism over alleged wrongful deletions and citizenship-proof demands exceeding its mandate.
Why it matters: GS-2 core; factual, Prelims-type
What you need to know
2 ನಿಮಿಷ
The Election Commission's ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in several States has drawn criticism after Additional Electoral Registration Officers reportedly sought citizenship documents from voters suspected to be foreign nationals, even when they held a valid Indian passport.
Opposition parties have alleged large-scale wrongful deletions of genuine voters' names during the exercise.
Critics point out that determining citizenship is a Union government function under the Citizenship Act, 1955, distinct from the Election Commission's roll-revision powers under the Representation of the People Act, 1950.
ಮೂಲಗಳು: Topper IAS editorial (PIB / The Hindu / Indian Express)
ಮುಖ್ಯ ಅಂಶಗಳು
Remember these
- SIR = Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, run by the Election Commission in several States
- Legal basis for preparing/revising electoral rolls: Representation of the People Act, 1950
- Conduct of elections and poll disputes are separately governed by the Representation of the People Act, 1951
- Citizenship determination falls under the Citizenship Act, 1955, a Union government (Home Ministry) function
- Additional Electoral Registration Officers reportedly sought citizenship proof from some voters despite valid Indian passports
ಪ್ರಿಲಿಮ್ಸ್ · ಮೇನ್ಸ್
How the exam will ask it
ಪ್ರಿಲಿಮ್ಸ್
- The Representation of the People Act, 1950 provides for the preparation and revision of electoral rolls.
- The Representation of the People Act, 1951 governs the conduct of elections and related disputes.
- Determination of citizenship is a function under the Citizenship Act, 1955, distinct from the Election Commission's roll-revision mandate.
- The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) has drawn allegations of wrongful deletion of genuine voters' names.
ಮೇನ್ಸ್
GS Paper 2 (Polity/Governance): the SIR controversy raises the issue of the Election Commission, while revising electoral rolls under the RP Act, 1950, reportedly demanding citizenship proof -- a matter falling under the Union's Citizenship Act, 1955. This blurring of mandates risks wrongful deletion of genuine voters and raises federal and rights concerns about due process in roll revision. The way forward lies in clearly demarcating EC's roll-revision powers from citizenship adjudication, with adequate safeguards and appeal mechanisms for affected voters.
Quick recall
Answer before you reveal
ವಿಶೇಷ ತೀವ್ರ ಪರಿಷ್ಕರಣೆ (SIR) ನಂತಹ ಕಾರ್ಯಾಚರಣೆಗಳಿಗೆ ಕಾನೂನು ಆಧಾರವಾಗಿರುವ, ಮತದಾರರ ಪಟ್ಟಿಗಳ ಸಿದ್ಧತೆ ಮತ್ತು ಪರಿಷ್ಕರಣೆಗೆ ಚುನಾವಣಾ ಆಯೋಗಕ್ಕೆ ಅಧಿಕಾರ ನೀಡುವ ಕಾಯ್ದೆ ಯಾವುದು?
- ಜನ ಪ್ರಾತಿನಿಧ್ಯ ಕಾಯ್ದೆ, 1950
- ಜನ ಪ್ರಾತಿನಿಧ್ಯ ಕಾಯ್ದೆ, 1951
- ಪೌರತ್ವ ಕಾಯ್ದೆ, 1955
- ಭಾರತ ಸರ್ಕಾರ ಕಾಯ್ದೆ, 1935
ಉತ್ತರ ನೋಡಿ
ಉತ್ತರ: A — ಸರಿ: ಜನ ಪ್ರಾತಿನಿಧ್ಯ ಕಾಯ್ದೆ, 1950 - ಮತದಾರರ ಪಟ್ಟಿ ಪರಿಷ್ಕರಣೆಯ ಕಾನೂನು ಆಧಾರ. • 1951ರ ಕಾಯ್ದೆ - ತಪ್ಪು: ಚುನಾವಣೆ ನಡೆಸುವಿಕೆಗೆ ಸಂಬಂಧಿಸಿದ್ದು. • ಪೌರತ್ವ ಕಾಯ್ದೆ, 1955 - ತಪ್ಪು: ಪೌರತ್ವ ನಿರ್ಧಾರದ ಪ್ರತ್ಯೇಕ ಕಾಯ್ದೆ. • 1935ರ ಕಾಯ್ದೆ - ತಪ್ಪು: ಸಂವಿಧಾನ ಪೂರ್ವದ ಕಾಯ್ದೆ.
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