The need for a social audit for SIR 2.0, Pg9

Key Highlights:

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) is conducting Special Intensive Revision (SIR) 2.0 in 12 States and UTs.
• Concerns have been raised about potential disenfranchisement due to the documentation-heavy process, particularly after the Bihar experience.
• The Supreme Court has monitored the legality of the exercise but has not addressed the ECI's powers to conduct SIR.
• The article advocates for a mandatory social audit for electoral roll revision and verification to ensure inclusivity and integrity.

Detailed Insights:

• The Bihar SIR revealed flaws such as a decline in the adult-elector ratio and disproportionate deletions of women and Muslim voters, raising concerns about impartiality.
• Section 19 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, defines 'ordinarily resident' for voter inclusion, but it inadequately addresses the situation of modern-day migrants.
• Social audits, empowered by Article 243A and 243J of the Constitution, involve public auditing of activities, promoting participatory democracy and universal monitoring.
• A social audit process was previously tested in 2003 under Chief Election Commissioner J.M. Lyngdoh, resulting in significant electoral roll changes in states like Rajasthan.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Disenfranchisement: The denial of the right to vote to a person or group of people.
• Social Audit: An institutionalized process of participatory democracy where individuals audit activities for their benefit.
• Universal Adult Franchise: The right of all adult citizens to vote, regardless of wealth, income, gender, race, ethnicity, belief, or social status.