← 28 September 2026's Current Affairs · Polity GS-2 Prelims ★★★★☆ Mains ★★★★★
EC's electoral roll revision draws citizenship-proof row
ଖବରରେ କାହିଁକି?
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 ମିନିଟ
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.
ଉତ୍ସ: Topper IAS editorial (PIB / The Hindu / Indian Express)
ମୁଖ୍ୟ ତଥ୍ୟ
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
ପ୍ରିଲିମ୍ସ · ମେନ୍ସ
How the exam will ask it
ପ୍ରିଲିମ୍ସ
- 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.
ମେନ୍ସ
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
Under which enactment is the Election Commission empowered to prepare and revise electoral rolls, the legal basis for exercises such as the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)?
- Representation of the People Act, 1950
- Representation of the People Act, 1951
- Citizenship Act, 1955
- Government of India Act, 1935
ଉତ୍ତର ଦେଖନ୍ତୁ
ଉତ୍ତର: A — Correct: Representation of the People Act, 1950 - it governs preparation and revision of electoral rolls, the legal basis for the SIR exercise. • Representation of the People Act, 1951 - wrong: governs conduct of elections and poll disputes, not roll preparation. • Citizenship Act, 1955 - wrong: governs determination of citizenship, a distinct Home Ministry function. • Government of India Act, 1935 - wrong: a pre-constitutional colonial statute with no role in current electoral law.
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