India Election Commission Defends Special Revision of Electoral Rolls in Supreme Court
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NEW DELHI: The Election Commission of India defended its Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in the Supreme Court, asserting its constitutional duty to exclude foreign names. The ECI emphasized the importance of ensuring that only citizens participate in elections, countering claims that the process resembles a National Register of Citizens. The outcome of this revision has already led to the removal of millions of names from Uttar Pradesh's voter list.
NEW DELHI: The Election Commission of India (ECI) made a robust defense of its ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the Supreme Court on January 6, 2026. Rejecting claims that it was conducting a parallel National Register of Citizens (NRC), the ECI asserted it has both the “constitutional power” and even a “constitutional duty” to ensure that not a single foreigner is included in the nation's electoral rolls.
This statement came in response to petitions filed by several opposition parties challenging the SIR's constitutionality. As the ECI addressed these petitions, it coincided with the publication of a draft voter list in Uttar Pradesh, revealing the deletion of nearly three crore names from the previous register of 15.44 crore voters. The SIR, initially launched in Bihar, is expanding its reach to cover 12 more states and union territories.
Senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, representing the ECI, stressed the vital nature of this task, stating, “We have a constitutional duty, and not just a constitutional power, to ensure no foreigners are listed in the electoral rolls.” He acknowledged that while questions about the number of foreigners were raised, the focus should primarily be on ensuring the integrity of the electoral process.
The petitions had suggested that the SIR was merely a “citizenship drive” and an extension of the NRC. However, Mr. Dwivedi refuted this comparison, describing the SIR as distinctly different, clarifying that it strictly involves those who are 18 years and above. He elaborated that while the NRC included all citizens, the electoral rolls serve a focused purpose beyond the age of voting.
The ECI's position highlights the importance of citizenship in the electoral context, linking it to the broader framework of governance in India, where only citizens are eligible to participate in elections. As this critical legal battle unfolds, the ECI's commitment to maintaining the sanctity of electoral integrity remains at the forefront, impacting the democratic landscape of the nation.
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