Irregularities in the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision

Gist An investigation has revealed significant internal dissent within the Election Commission of India ECI regarding the execution of the Special Intensive Revision SIR of electoral rolls under Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Two Election Commissioners formally objected to unauthorized changes to voter registration forms, the centralization of the electoral database, and mass voter deletions that bypassed local statutory authorities. For an aspirant, this highlights a critical intersection of institutional autonomy, electoral integrity, and the protection of the constitutional guarantee of universal adult franchise. Background The Election Commission of India ECI is responsible for the preparation and maintenance of electoral rolls. At the grassroots level, Electoral Registration Officers EROs serve as the statutory authorities empowered to determine voter eligibility and update the rolls. The Special Intensive Revision SIR is an exercise undertaken to update these rolls, involving the addition of new voters and the removal of defunct or ineligible entries. Historically, the appointment of the CEC was largely an executive prerogative until the Supreme Court's Anoop Baranwal judgment mandated a selection panel comprising the Prime Minister, the Leader of the…