Why EC note was an early warning, citizenship became key issue in SC, Pg1

Key Highlights:

• The Election Commission (EC) initiated a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar, raising concerns about potential disenfranchisement and a backdoor National Register of Citizens (NRC).
• An initial draft order by the EC referenced the Citizenship Act, but this reference was later removed.
• The Supreme Court intervened, directing the EC to accept Aadhaar as a valid identity document during the revision process.
• The Bihar SIR concluded on September 30, 2025, resulting in a 6% decrease in the electorate.
• The EC extended the deadline for the SIR in several other states by one week to February 14, 2026, following reported deaths of Booth Level Officers and slow progress.

Detailed Insights:

• The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) deviated from the usual annual revisions, raising concerns about the necessity and potential implications of preparing electoral rolls afresh.
• The EC defended the SIR by citing Article 324 and Article 326 of the Constitution, asserting its authority to determine the citizenship status of those applying to be electors.
• The 2003 amendment to the Citizenship Act introduced the concept of an "illegal migrant," impacting citizenship eligibility for those born after December 2, 2004.
• The petitioners argued that citizenship matters fall under the Ministry of Home Affairs, questioning the EC's jurisdiction in conducting what appeared to be a citizenship check.
• The Supreme Court's intervention highlights the critical role of judicial oversight in ensuring fair and inclusive electoral processes, especially concerning vulnerable populations.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Citizenship Act: The primary law governing citizenship in India, amended in 2003 to introduce the concept of "illegal migrant."
• National Register of Citizens (NRC): A register containing names of Indian citizens, with the goal of identifying illegal immigrants.
• Article 324: Constitutional provision granting the Election Commission the power of superintendence, direction, and control of elections.