The Election Commission of India (EC) said on Tuesday that several major flaws have been found in the voter list during the controversial Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process underway in Bihar. According to the Commission, 18 lakh dead voters, 26 lakh people who have shifted to other constituencies, and about 7 lakh voters registered at two places have been found so far.
This information has come to light at a time when serious questions are being raised by the Supreme Court and the opposition regarding the SIR process. The Commission defended the SIR exercise, saying that its purpose is to clean up the electoral process and remove ineligible voters from the list.
In its affidavit, the Commission said, “The SIR process ensures transparency in elections as it eliminates those who do not fulfil the criteria to become voters. The right to vote is based on eligibility such as citizenship, age and residence under Article 326 of the Constitution and relevant sections of the Representation of the People Act. An ineligible person is not entitled to vote and cannot claim violation of Articles 19 and 21 on this ground.”
The Commission also pointed out that documents such as Aadhaar, voter ID and ration card are already being used for the limited purpose of identity verification during the SIR.
The Election Commission was responding to a petition filed against the order issued on June 24, which stated that the SIR of the voter list would begin in Bihar and could later be implemented across the country.
The EC also clarified that providing Aadhaar number in the nomination form is completely voluntary, and the information is used only for identity verification, as provided in Section 23(4) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 and Section 9 of the Aadhaar Act, 2016.
The Supreme Court had on July 10 directed that Aadhaar, voter ID and ration cards be recognised as identity proofs during the ongoing SIR process in Bihar. The state is scheduled to hold the assembly elections later this year. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for July 28.
Also Read: Why Are Bengaluru’s Shopkeepers Refusing UPI Payments After Years Of Digital Adoption?
