Current Edge Daily Brief 28th October 2025

IE Explained: What sets nationwide SIR apart from Bihar’s controversial roll revision

Syllabus: Pre/Mains – Polity/Governance

Why in News?

→ EC launches 2nd phase of nationwide Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls (Oct 28, 2025) → major procedural + policy shift from Bihar’s controversial SIR (June 2024).

Core Objective & Tone Shift

• Bihar SIR → citizenship verification focus → anxiety, exclusion fears
• Nationwide SIR → inclusion-centric, voter continuity focus
• Citizenship = eligibility criterion but not verification test

• Aim → clean, updated rolls ✦ no mass deletions or document-driven exclusion

Enumeration Phase (Approach Recast)

• Bihar → electors (post-2003) had to show citizenship/age proof → large-scale document hunt
• Now → only basic info (address, family link) needed → no docs at enumeration
• Enumerators trace electors via old rolls of self/parents/relatives → emphasis on continuity
• Purpose → identify missing voters, ensure none dropped mistakenly

Enumeration Form Changes

• 2 new columns → link to last SIR roll (self/family)
• Earlier introduced late in Bihar after backlash → now built-in from start
• Enables automatic tracing of voter lineage across revisions → simplifies eligibility confirmation

Cross-State Roll Linkage ✦ New Feature

• BLOs get access to all states’ last intensive revision rolls
• Bihar BLOs → limited to state 2003 roll
• Migrants (e.g., WB 2002 → TN 2025) can retain registration using old state link
• Acknowledges mobility of workforce, urban migration patterns

Document Submission Policy

• Docs required only if voter absent from any state’s last SIR roll
• Earlier → all post-2003 Bihar voters had to submit one of 11 docs
• Now → smaller, targeted group receives notice during claims-objections phase
• Fairer scrutiny → avoid blanket demand for citizenship proof

Citizenship Verification Recalibrated

• Bihar EC claim → right to verify citizenship directly
• New approach → citizenship remains base criterion, not active test
• Language softened to prevent exclusion of genuine electors
• Aadhaar retained as 12th acceptable doc (added after SC ruling)

Inclusion of New Voters (18+)

• Earlier (Bihar) → new electors added only later (claims-objections)
• Now → can submit Form 6 + SIR declaration during enumeration → faster inclusion
• Reduces lag for first-time voters → better youth participation

Political & Administrative Process Improvements

• Bihar → poor coordination, sudden notice → confusion & protests
• Nationwide SIR → pre-launch meetings with CEOs & political parties → transparency ↑
• Parties briefed on process → stakeholder buy-in ensured
• EC aims to rebuild trust after Bihar criticism

Wider Context & Significance

• First large-scale nationwide SIR since 2003–04 revisions
• Timing → before major Assembly polls (e.g., TN, WB, UP upcoming 2026–27)
• Aligns with EC’s goal of 100% roll accuracy, minimal duplication
• Reflects course correction post-public backlash in Bihar.

Test Your Knowledge 01

Q. Which of the following actions by the Election Commission would fall within its constitutional and statutory mandate under Articles 324–329 and the Representation of the People Acts?

1. Revising electoral rolls through nationwide SIR.
2. Requiring proof of citizenship as an eligibility condition for voter registration.
3. Declaring Aadhaar as mandatory for inclusion in electoral rolls.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Hint: EC can verify eligibility (citizenship, age, residence) but cannot make Aadhaar mandatory (violates SC orders, Aadhaar Act s.7 restrictions).