Scroll’s SIR experience is a microcosm of what urban India is facing

The third phase of the special intensive revision of electoral rolls is underway and, in a repeat of the choppiness that has unfolded in other parts of the country, voters are expressing their frustrations at the process of ensuring that their names are included on the “purified” list.

The Election Commission says the revision aims to eliminate the names of voters who are dead, have moved to other places or are not citizens.

The exercise began in Bihar last year and, in the second phase, was expanded to 12 states and Union Territories. In the latest phase, the voter rolls are being revised in 16 states and three Union Territories.

Since it began, concerns have been raised that the revision could eliminate genuine voters from the rolls and even shape electoral outcomes, as Scroll has reported. In West Bengal alone, about 91 lakh voters – nearly 11.9% of the state’s electorate before the revision process began – had been removed from the electoral rolls as of April 6. About 27 lakh appeals against exclusions are believed to be pending before appellate tribunals.

In May, the Supreme Court upheld the legality of the revision, but said that the exercise does not mean that the Election Commission can decide on whether the person is an Indian citizen. However, Bharatiya...

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