ELECTORAL ROLL
What is “Electoral Roll
An electoral roll is a list of people who have enrolled to vote for particular elections in a particular jurisdiction.
Official Definition of Electoral Roll
Electoral Roll as defined in legislation
Electoral Roll Revision
The primary statutory foundation is provided by Sections 15 to 23 of the RPA 1950 (especially Section 21 for the manner and timing of revision and Section 22 for corrections), and the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960 (RoE Rules), where Rules 10 to 23 lay down the detailed procedures for publication, claims, objections, verification, correction, and appeals. From time to time, the ECI supplements the statutory framework through binding notifications and detailed letters to Chief Electoral Officers, thus establishing the criteria for qualifying dates, document requirements, and utilization of technology (e.g., ERONet, Aadhaar linking). Amendments introduced by the Election Laws (Amendment) Act, 2021, now enable multiple qualifying dates and advance application by prospective electors (Section 23 of RPA 1950; Rule 12 of the RoE Rules as amended).
Draft Publication
The revision process commences with the preparation of the draft electoral roll. This step involves integrating the existing rolls, validating entries, conducting data audits to detect duplicates, and updating as per the most recent qualifying date (Section 21 of RPA 1950). The draft roll is published on a date notified by the ECI, displayed at the offices of Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), polling stations, and other public places as prescribed under Rule 10 of the RoE Rules. Important activities at this stage include providing authenticated copies for scrutiny, engaging political parties for monitoring via Booth Level Agents, and reading the roll out at public forums like Gram Sabhas and Resident Welfare Associations to ensure community participation. BLOs are tasked with field verification of all entries, and their findings inform the initial draft.
Claims and Objections Stage
Once the draft is published, a statutory period is opened for filing claims and objections, typically lasting 30 days. Eligible residents who are not listed may apply for inclusion using Form 6, and persons who have shifted overseas can do so via Form 6A (Rules 13 and 14). Objections to wrongful entries (such as those of deceased or ineligible persons) may be filed using Form 7 (Rule 15). Existing electors can seek correction of particulars or transposition within the constituency using Form 8, and bulk transpositions may use Form 8A. The legal framework governing these procedures is laid down in Rules 12, 14, 15, and 16 of the RoE Rules. The ECI, in its instructions and recent amendments, has clarified documentation requirements for each type of application, while also encouraging digital submissions and establishing the requisite public notice requirements to ensure maximum transparency and participation.
Disposal of Claims and Objections
Disposal of claims and objections is the responsibility of the ERO, who must consider every application in a quasi-judicial manner (Section 22 and Rule 17). Physical verification is carried out by the BLO, who uses Forms 12 to 15 to report findings, visit applicant addresses, examine supporting documents, and conduct local inquiries. Rule 18 requires summary inquiry proceedings to be fair, with both applicants and objectors afforded an opportunity to be heard, and documentary evidence scrutinized. In more complex cases, inquiries may involve public notice, cross-checking with municipal and death records, and testimonies of neighbors or relevant authorities. The final order (acceptance or rejection) must be communicated to all parties as per Rule 20, and the details updated in the supplement. Section 13C of RPA 1950 provides for appeals, with affected individuals able to approach the Appellate Authority as defined under Rule 23, who reviews the record, may order further inquiry, and is empowered to reverse or uphold the ERO’s decision.
Suo Moto Action and Appeals
In addition to applications, the ERO is empowered to initiate suo moto corrections when entries are found to be erroneous or obsolete (Rules 21, 21A, and 22 of RoE Rules). This may cover cases of death, shifting, duplication, or established non-citizenship. The ERO is required to verify all facts in accordance with ECI directions, conduct due process, and issue detailed speaking orders. Affected individuals retain a right of appeal under Rule 23, which guarantees a fresh hearing before a designated Appellate Authority and, in some cases, the Chief Electoral Officer at the state level. The appeals mechanism operates under strict timelines, and the process does not ordinarily stay the publication of the final roll.
Constitutional Provisions
The Constitution of India has an independent and special chapter, ‘Part XV’ on Elections. The chapter consists of Article 324 to 329:-
Article 324 is the cornerstone of the legal structure, under which the Election Commission has got plenary powers to take necessary action for the avowed purpose of having free and fair election.
(i) Under Article 324 (1) of the Constitution of India, the superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of the electoral rolls for all elections to Parliament and to the Legislature of every State is vested in the Election Commission.
(ii) Article 324 (2) and (3) relate to composition of the Election Commission.
(iii) Article 324 (4) and (5) provide for appointment of Regional Commissioners and service conditions thereof.
(iv) Article 324 (6) places an obligation on the President or the Governor of a State to make available to the Election Commission such staff as may be necessary for conduct of election and preparation of electoral rolls.
Article 325 of Constitution of India provides that there shall be one general electoral roll for every territorial constituency and no person shall be ineligible for inclusion in any such roll or claim to be included on grounds only of religion, race, caste or sex.
Article 326 provides for universal adult suffrage and qualifications and disqualifications for registration in electoral roll. Under this Article every person who is a citizen of India and who is not less than 18 years of age on such qualifying date as may be fixed in that behalf by or under any law made by the appropriate legislature and is not disqualified under the Constitution or any law made by the appropriate legislature on the ground of non-residence, unsoundness of mind, crime or corrupt or illegal practice, shall be entitled to be registered as a voter at any election to the House of the People or to a State Legislative Assembly.
Parliament has been authorized by Article 327 of the Constitution to make provisions by law with respect to all matters relating to, or in connection with, elections to either House of Parliament or to the House or either House of the Legislature of a State including preparation of electoral rolls. In exercise of such power, the Parliament has enacted the Representation of the People Act, 1950.
Similarly, under Article 328, State Legislatures have been authorized to make law with respect to all matters relating to elections to the Legislature of the concerned state including preparation of electoral rolls.
Article 329 bars courts to intervene in the matters of delimitation of constituencies or allotment of seats to such constituencies made under Article 327 or 328. Similarly, no election to either House of Parliament or to either House of any State Legislature shall be challenged except by an election petition before the court.
Legal Provisions and Rules :
The Representation of the People Act (RPA) of 1950 and the RPA of 1951 are two distinct but complementary laws that work together to govern elections in India. The 1950 Act sets the stage for elections, while the 1951 Act deals with the actual conduct of the elections and related matters.
Rule 2(e) of The Registration of Electors Rules, 1960 : “roll” means the electoral roll for a constituency. Rule 2(e) of The Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961 defines “electoral roll” in relation to an election by assembly members, means any person entitled to vote at that election.
Elector: Section 2(e) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 : “elector” in relation to a constituency means a person whose name is entered in the electoral roll of that constituency for the time being in force and who is not subject to any of the disqualifications mentioned in Section 16 of the RPA, 1950.
The Constitution of India, under Article 326, guarantees universal adult franchise, stating that every citizen aged 18 or above is entitled to vote, provided they are not disqualified under law. The Supreme Court, in Kuldip Nayar v. Union of India (2006), held that the ‘right to elect’ is a statutory right, not a fundamental or constitutional right.
Constituency Classes: For the purposes of the RPA, 1951, a Parliamentary constituency, an assembly constituency, a council constituency, a local authority constituency, a graduates constituency and a teachers constituency shall each be treated as a constituency of a different class.
Voting Limit : Section 62 (4) of the RPA, 1951 mandates that “ No person shall at any election vote in the same constituency more than once, notwithstanding that his name may have been registered in the electoral roll for that constituency more than once, and if he does so vote, all his votes in that constituency shall be void.”
Representation of the People Act, 1950
In exercise of Article 327, the Parliament enacted the Representation of the People Act, 1950. The Act came into effect on 12th May, 1950.
(i) Section 3-13 relates to allocation of seats in House of People and State Legislatures and procedure of delimitation of constituencies.
(ii) Section 13A-13CC deals with the electoral machinery at the State and District level.
(iii) Sections 14-25 provide for preparation of electoral rolls for each constituency under the supervision, direction and control of the Election Commission and cover the qualification/disqualification for registration of an elector and other conditions applicable to the preparation and revision of the electoral rolls.
(iv) Section 27 deals with preparation of electoral rolls for Council Constituencies.
(v) Sections 28-32 provide for general provisions relating to Central Government’s powers to make rules, for providing staff for performance of duties in connection with preparation and revision of electoral rolls, barring jurisdiction of Civil Courts and punishment in case of making false declaration and breach of official duty.
Registration of Electors Rules, 1960
Initially, rules for registration in electoral rolls were made in 1950, named as the Representation of People (Preparation of Electoral Rolls) Rules, 1950. Later on, these rules were replaced by a new set of rules in 1956 under the name of Representation of People (Preparation of Electoral Rolls) Rules, 1956. Finally, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 28 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, the Central Government, after consulting the Election Commission, framed Registration of Electors Rules, 1960. The rules were published by the Ministry of Law on 10th November, 1960. These rules provide the manner and methodology of preparation of electoral rolls.
(i) Rules 4-23 relates to the manner of preparation of electoral rolls.
(ii) Rule 28 deals with the issue of identity cards.
(iii) Rules 30 and 31 provide for the manner of preparation of electoral rolls for Council Constituencies.
(iv) Rules 32-35 relate to preservation and disposal of electoral rolls, forms and connected papers.
Types of Electoral Roles:
Electoral Rolls for Parliamentary Constituencies
Definition : 2(f) of the RPA,1950 defines Parliamentary Constituency means a constituency provided by law for the purpose of elections to the House of the People.
Composition : The electoral roll for a parliamentary constituency is made up of the electoral rolls of all the assembly constituencies that fall within it. No separate electoral roll is needed for the parliamentary constituency.
However, Section 13D provides for two exceptions :
For the Tuensang District in Nagaland , during the period mentioned in Article 371A(2) of the Constitution :
A separate electoral roll must be prepared and revised for this area. The process will follow the same rules as used for preparing electoral rolls for assembly constituencies
Jammu & Kashmir and Union Territories without a Legislative Assembly:
In these cases, the parliamentary constituency’s electoral roll must be prepared separately, just like an assembly constituency roll.
Union Territory of Delhi : Rule 29 of The Registration of Electors Rules, 1960 states that the rules that apply for electoral rolls for assembly constituencies shall apply to it.
- Electoral Rolls for Assembly Constituencies
Definition : 2(b) defines Assembly Constituency means a constituency provided by law for the purpose of elections to the Legislative Assembly of a State. Part II of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960 elaborates the procedure for Electoral rolls for Assembly Constituencies.
Mandate: Section 15 mandates that for every constituency there should be an electoral roll which shall be prepared according to the provisions of the RPA, 1950 under the superintendence, direction and control of the Election Commission.
Procedure: Part III of the RPA,1950 discusses these rolls and Part II of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960 elaborates on the preparation procedure.
Form and Language : Rule 4 of The Registration of Electors Act, 1960 specifies that the roll for each constituency should be prepared in such form and in such language or languages as the Election Commission may direct.
- Electoral Rolls for Council Constituencies
Part IV discusses the Electoral Rolls for Council Constituencies
Definition : 2(c) defines Council Constituency means a constituency provided by law for the purpose of elections to the Legislative Council of a State. Part IV of The Registration of Electors Rules, 1960 states the additional procedure for electoral rolls for Council Constituencies.
Requirement : Legislative Councils (in states where they exist) are not directly elected by the general public like Legislative Assemblies. Instead, different groups of people (like local body members, graduates, and teachers) elect representatives to reflect their specific interests. Because these voters are not general citizens, a separate roll is needed for each group.
These constituencies represent intellectual and institutional interests:
Mandate U/A 171 of the Constitution:
Article 171(3) requires that the Legislative Council be composed of members elected by :
- Local Authorities
- Graduates
- Teachers
- Members of the Legislative Assembly
- And a few nominated by the Governor.
Basic requirements to get registered
To be eligible for registration in an electoral roll, a person must:
- Be at least 18 years old on the qualifying date.
- Be ordinarily resident in that constituency.
Restrictions : A person cannot be registered more than once in the same constituency (Section 18) and a person cannot be registered in the electoral rolls of more than once constituency(Section 17).
“Qualifying Date” :
It is the date used to determine a person’s age and eligibility to be included in the electoral roll.
There are four qualifying dates in a year:
- 1st January
- 1st April
- 1st July
- 1st October
These dates apply to the preparation or revision of electoral rolls.
According to the Press release by the Election Commission of India on 28 July 2022:
Youth aged 17 years and older can now apply in advance to be included in the voter list, they no longer have to wait until the next 1st January qualifying date.
Disqualifications of Registration (Section 16 RPA, 1950 )
A person cannot be registered in the electoral roll if :
- They are not a citizen of India.
- They are of unsound mind, as declared by a competent court.
- They are disqualified from voting due to corrupt practices or other election offences under the law . But if the disqualification is later removed, their name must be added back to the electoral roll as long as the roll is still in force.
Removal : Section 16 mandates that if someone becomes disqualified after being registered, their name must be removed from the electoral roll immediately.
Determination of citizenship of Homeless Persons :
In all such cases where homeless persons are registered in electoral rolls, a statement of such persons shall be recorded by the Booth Level Officer in which specific information about the place of his birth and the place of previous residence from where he has shifted to the present place of his ordinary residence, of such a person shall be asked for. This will help the Electoral Registration Officer in deciding whether such a person is an Indian citizen or not.
The debate on ‘citizenship verification’is contentious, as seen in Law Babu Hussein v. ERO (1995), where the Supreme Court emphasized due process and natural justice in handling electoral rolls .
Who is "ordinarily resident” ? (Section 20 )
Not considered “ordinarily resident”
- Simply owning or possessing a house in a constituency does not make someone an ordinarily resident there.
- A person in a mental health facility, prison, or other legal custody is not considered ordinarily resident in that place just because they are confined there.
Considered “ordinarily resident”
- A person who temporarily leaves their home (e.g., for travel, short-term relocation) is still considered ordinarily resident at their original place.
- MPs and MLAs remain ordinarily resident in their constituency, even if they’re living elsewhere temporarily due to their duties.
- Service personnel (people with a "service qualification") are deemed to be ordinarily resident in the place where they would have been living if not for their service. Service qualification is given an inclusive definition. It includes :
- Members of the armed forces
- (b) Members of forces under the Army Act, 1950
- (c) State armed police serving outside their home state
- (d) Government of India employees posted outside India
- Persons holding special government offices declared by the President, in consultation with the Election Commission, are also considered ordinarily resident where they would have lived if not for the job.
- Spouse of someone covered under service qualifications or special offices are also deemed ordinarily resident in the same place, if they live together. If the Service personnel or the persons holding special government offices make a formal statement about where they would have lived (but for job/service), it will be accepted as correct unless proven otherwise.
Doubt Resolution : The decision will be made based on the facts of the case, and as per rules made by the Central Government in consultation with the Election Commission.
There is a general misconception about the condition of minimum qualifying period of 180 days for determination of ordinary residence. It may be noted that though such provision existed in the original scheme of enrolment, it has since been withdrawn. Presently, there is no minimum period for determination of ordinary residence.
In Dr. Manmohan Singh vs. the Election Commission of India & Others, (Civil Rule No. 1087 of 1994) the Guwahati High Court defined that the term ‘ordinary resident’ means a usual and normal resident of that place, residence must be permanent in character and not temporary or casual and it must be for a considerable time. The resident must have intention to reside there permanently. It is the place where he habitually sleeps at night. The Supreme Court has held that the person has to have an intention to stay at that place for a considerably long time.
On the interpretation of the rulings of the Courts, the Election Commission has clarified that such a person need not be eating in that place but he should be sleeping regularly at that place.
Enrollment of overseas electors
A citizen of India can register in the electoral roll even while living abroad, if :
- They are a citizen of India
- Their name is not already included in the electoral roll
- They have not acquired citizenship of another country
- They are outside India (temporarily or otherwise ) due to :
- Employment
- Education
- Or any other reason
Registration Location : Their name will be added to the constituency where their Indian Address (as per passport ) is located. Once registered, they can vote in elections in that constituency, if they meet all other eligibility conditions.
Procedure : The timeframe, manner, and procedure for registering overseas voters will be decided and prescribed by rules.
OCI Card Holders : Section 7B (2)(f) of the Citizenship Act, 1955 which states the rights on Overseas Citizen of India Cardholders , expressly mentions that An Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder shall not be entitled to the rights conferred on a citizen of India under Section 16 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 in regard to registration as a voter.
Preparation of Electoral Rolls
Preparation of the electoral rolls in India is among the world’s most “rigorous and transparent” exercises and elections are held under the close watch of political parties, candidates, voters, the police and the media, acting as “concurrent auditors”.
- House to House enumeration and data collection
- Draft Roll Publication
- Claims and Objections
- Final Publication of the Electoral Roll
Who are the Officers who prepare the Electoral Rolls ?
Part IIA of the Representation of People Act, 1950
Chief Electoral Officer (CEO):
Appointment : Each State will have a Chief Electoral Officer , who is a government officer appointed by the Election Commission (EC) in consultation with the State Government.
Role : The CEO is responsible for supervising the preparation, revision, and correction of the electoral rolls in the State, under the direction of the EC.
District Election Officer (DEO):
Appointment : Each district will have a District Election Officer (DEO), appointed by the EC in consultation with the State Government. The DEO must be a government officer.If needed, more than one DEO can be appointed in a district, and each will be assigned a specific area to manage.
Role : The DEO works under the CEO and supervises all electoral roll-related work in the district, including:
Preparation and revision of rolls for parliamentary, assembly, and council constituencies.
Electoral Registration Officer (ERO):
Appointment : Every parliamentary, assembly, or council constituency has an Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) who prepares and revises the electoral rolls.
Role : The ERO is appointed by the EC in consultation with the relevant State Government and can be a government or local authority officer. The ERO may employ staff to help with the electoral roll work.
Assistant Electoral Registration Officer (AERO):
Appointment : The EC may appoint Assistant EROs to help EROs in their work.
Role : An Assistant ERO can carry out any duties of the ERO, under their supervision.
Booth Level Officer (BLO) :
Appointment : by the Electoral Registration Officer under Section 13B (2) of the
Representation of the People Act, 1950 after obtaining approval of the District
Election Officer
Role : BLO has a pivotal role to play in preparation and revision of electoral rolls, particularly, in field verification. However, BLO’s verification report is not final. ERO/AERO is to consider BLO’s report in the light of existing provisions and to dispose of each claim & objection after due application of mind. ERO/AERO has to see each form and pass speaking order thereon under his own signature.
Reforms :
- Expanding Eligibility and Residency Rules
Including All Armed Forces (Section 20(8)) in the Representation of the People Act, 1950.
Section 20(8)(b), defining “service qualification”, currently refers only to forces governed by the Army Act, 1950. It is proposed to amend this section to include forces governed by the Air Force Act, 1950 and the Navy Act, 1957, ensuring comprehensive inclusion of armed forces personnel.
- Implementing Common Electoral Rolls :
Under the Common Electoral Roll, only one voter list will be used for Lok Sabha, Vidhan Sabha and other elections.
Types of Electoral Rolls in India Currently:
- Some state laws allow the SEC (State Election Commission) to borrow and use the Election Commission of India’s voter rolls for the local body elections.
- In others, the State Commission uses the EC’s voters list as the basis for the preparation and revision of rolls for municipality and panchayat elections.
- Few states have their own electoral rolls and do not adopt EC's roll for local body polls like those of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Odisha, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Odisha, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
- The distinction stems from the fact that the supervision and conduct of elections in our country are entrusted with two constitutional authorities — the Election Commission (EC) of India and the State Election Commissions (SECs).
Election Commission of India: It was set up in 1950, the EC is charged with the responsibility of conducting polls to:
- the offices of the President and Vice-President of India,
- to Parliament, the state assemblies and the legislative councils.
State Election Commissions (SECs): The SECs, on the other hand, supervise municipal and panchayat elections. They are free to prepare their own electoral rolls for local body elections, and this exercise does not have to be coordinated with the EC.
This causes duplication of effort and expenditure for both the ECI and State Election Commissions, and creates confusion for voters.
The ECI proposes amending State laws to mandate the use of common electoral rolls prepared by the ECI for the election of local bodies.
The Law Commission of India also endorsed this suggestion for introducing common electoral rolls for Parliamentary, Assembly, and local body elections, though acknowledging this requires State Law amendments in its 255th report in 2015.
- Providing Voting Facilities for Overseas Electors
Currently, Indian citizens residing abroad must vote in person. The ECI proposes amending Section 60 to provide overseas electors the alternative option of proxy voting or postal ballot voting, noting that electronic transmission of postal ballots could be facilitated through rule amendments.
- Steps for improving enrolment of all eligible names
The Committee on Electoral Reforms (Dinesh Goswami Committee) Report of May 1990 addressed the punishment for breach of official duty in connection with the preparation and revision of electoral rolls. The proposed change was to increase the severity of the punishment for officials guilty of breaches of duty related to electoral rolls. The law at that time provided for the imposition of only a fine for breach of official duty in connection with the preparation and revision of electoral rolls. The Committee recommended that the punishment for breach of official duty related to the preparation and revision of electoral rolls should be strengthened. Specifically, the punishment should be at least six months imprisonment. This contrasts with the earlier penalty of only a fine. The Committee felt that Section 32 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, should be suitably amended for this purpose.
Section 32 was amended in 1996. The punishment is now imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than three months but which may extend to two years and with fine.
- Issue of multi-purpose photo identity cards
There was unanimous agreement concerning the implementation of a scheme for the issue of multi-purpose photo identity cards. A time-bound programme covering the entire country for this scheme was deemed desirable. It was proposed that possession of this card should be made compulsory for every adult citizen receiving government benefits and facilities. The Baba Atomic Research Centre should be associated to ensure the scheme’s lower cost and tamper- proof nature. The creation of duplicate photo identity lists containing all elector names was also proposed, potentially replacing the electoral roll.
Active involvement of postal agencies was considered necessary for covering all areas and serving as the focal point for the field operation related to issuing these cards.
Process
The process of preparing electoral rolls is managed by the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO). The main steps are:
- Collecting information about eligible voters in each area.
- Publishing a draft list (electoral roll) for public review.
- Allowing people to check, claim, or object to entries.
- Finalizing and publishing the updated list.
Preparation
Preparation involves gathering data about all people who are eligible to vote. This is done by house-to-house visits, checking government records, and inviting people to register. The ERO ensures that no eligible voter is left out and that the information is accurate.ceotripura.
Rule 10 of 1960 Rules
Rule 10 of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, says that the ERO must prepare the electoral roll for each constituency. The roll should be arranged in parts, each part covering a polling area. Each part must have a title page, a map of the area, and a list of voters, usually not more than 2,000 per part (but often less for convenience).
(Rule 12, 21, 21A; Form 6, 6A
Rule 12
- Rule 12 allows people to make a claim to add their name to the voter list or correct their details.
- This is done by filling out Form 6 (for Indian citizens living in India) or Form 6A (for Non-Resident Indians).
- The claim must be submitted within the time period announced after the draft roll is published.
Rule 21
- Rule 21 deals with objections to entries in the voter list.
- Anyone can object if they believe a name should not be on the list (for example, if the person has died, moved away, or is not eligible).
- The objection must be made in writing and within the set time period.
Rule 21A
- Rule 21A allows the Electoral Registration Officer to delete names from the voter list if it is found that a person has died, moved away, or is not eligible, even if no one has objected.
- The officer must make a list of such names, display it publicly, and allow people to object before deleting any names.
Form 6
- Form 6 is used by Indian citizens living in India to add their name to the electoral roll or to correct details like name, age, or address.
Form 6A
- Form 6A is used by Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) to add their name to the electoral roll for their home constituency in India.
\
Claims and Objections (Rule 12, 21, 21A; Form 6, 6A)
- After the draft roll is published, people can file claims to add their name (Form 6), or, if they are Non-Resident Indians, use Form 6A.
- Objections can be filed to remove or correct entries.
- Claims and objections must be submitted within a set period (usually 15-30 days).
- The ERO checks each claim or objection and may hold a hearing if needed before making a decision.
Rule 17
- Rule 17 is about preliminary checking of claims and objections made to the electoral roll.
- When someone submits a claim (to add or correct a name) or an objection (to remove a name), the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) first checks if the form is complete and properly filled.
- If the form is incomplete or has mistakes, it can be rejected right away.
- If the form is correct, the ERO accepts it and moves to the next step, which may include further verification or a hearing.ceotripura+1
Amended Rule 15 (aR.15)
- Amended Rule 15 deals with the preparation and publication of the electoral roll.
- It ensures that the roll is organized in parts, each covering a polling area, and that the roll is published in a clear and accessible way.
- The rule also allows for the integration of different lists, such as the main roll and the list of service voters, to make sure all eligible voters are included
Preliminary Checking (Rule 17, Rule 15)
- When a claim or objection is received, the ERO does a basic check:
Is the form complete and signed?
Is the information clear and correct?
- If the form is not filled properly, it can be rejected at this stage.
- If accepted, the ERO processes the request and updates the roll as needed
SIR
Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls
A Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is a focused, time-bound house-to-house verification process conducted by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to update and correct the Electoral Rolls prior to major elections. The exercise ensures that the voter list remains accurate, inclusive, and free from discrepancies by facilitating new voter registrations, deletions of ineligible entries, and corrections of existing records.
Under Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950,the Election Commission of India (ECI) is empowered to prepare and revise electoral rolls, including undertaking a special revision at any time for recorded reasons.
Constitutional Basis
The constitutional foundation for the Special Intensive Revision lies in Article 324 of the Constitution of India, which vests the ECI with the power to supervise, direct, and control the preparation of electoral rolls and the conduct of elections. In addition, Article 326 guarantees universal adult suffrage, enabling citizens aged 18 years and above to vote unless disqualified by law due to criminal conviction, unsoundness of mind, or involvement in corrupt practices.
Judicial Interpretation
In Mohinder Singh Gill v. The Chief Election Commissioner (1977), the Supreme Court of India affirmed the wide-ranging powers of the ECI under Article 324 to ensure free and fair elections. The Court held that judicial review during the electoral process is restricted under Article 329(b) and recognized that the ECI may act independently in areas where the laws framed under Articles 327 and 328 are silent. The judgment also observed that while adherence to the principles of natural justice is important, the ECI may take swift and pragmatic action in exceptional circumstances, including ordering re-polls when necessary.
Historical Context
Special Intensive Revisions have been carried out periodically across different parts of India to enhance the integrity and inclusiveness of the electoral rolls. Major SIRs were conducted during 1952–56, 1957, 1961, 1965, 1966, 1983–84, 1987–89, 1992, 1993, 1995, 2002, 2003, and 2004. In the state of Bihar, the last Special Intensive Revision was held in 2003.
ECI FAQ - https://www.eci.gov.in/Documents/Final-ER-FAQ.pdf
An electoral roll continuously remains in a state of updating and preparation throughout the year, except for the period between the last date for making nominations in an election in a constituency and the date of declaration of result of the said election.
