Archive · 14 Jan 2026
EC Defends Citizenship Check Amid Criticism
The Election Commission of India is defending its right to check if people are citizens before adding them to the voter list.
This is part of a process called Special Intensive Revision (SIR), which is happening in 12 states.
Some people, like writer Arundhati Roy and the Trinamool Congress, say this process is unfair and could remove good voters from the list.
They believe it is making the electoral system less trustworthy.
The BJP, however, supports the process, saying it helps keep the voter list clean.
The Supreme Court is hearing arguments about this and will decide more on Thursday.
So far, many people have been removed from the voter list, especially in Bihar and other states where SIR is happening.
The Election Commission argues it has the right to examine citizenship for voter eligibility under Article 326 of the Constitution.
The Supreme Court is hearing petitions challenging the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, with concerns raised about the exclusion of eligible voters.
Arundhati Roy and the Trinamool Congress criticize the SIR process, claiming it is exclusionary and undermines the electoral system.
The BJP supports the SIR process, viewing it as essential to weed out undocumented immigrants and maintain clean electoral rolls.
Nearly 6.5 crore names have been deleted from voter lists in nine states and three Union Territories, with the Supreme Court continuing to hear the matter on Thursday.
- Who
- The Election Commission of India, the Supreme Court of India, Arundhati Roy, the Trinamool Congress, and the BJP
- What
- A legal debate on the Election Commission's right to examine citizenship for voter eligibility and the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls
- When
- The hearing is ongoing, with the next session scheduled for Thursday
- Where
- The Supreme Court of India and various states and Union Territories where SIR is underway
- Why
- To determine the validity of the SIR process and the EC's authority to check citizenship for voter eligibility, amid concerns of exclusion and compromise of the electoral system
Critics of SIR
Supporters of SIR
Purpose of SIR
Critics of SIR
Critics argue that the SIR process is exclusionary by design and undermines the electoral system, compromising democracy.
Supporters of SIR
Supporters, including the BJP, view SIR as an essential tool to maintain clean electoral rolls and weed out undocumented immigrants.
Impact on Voters
Critics of SIR
Critics, like Arundhati Roy and the Trinamool Congress, claim the process puts the onus of proof of innocence on voters and has led to the exclusion of eligible voters.
Supporters of SIR
The Election Commission maintains that a clean electoral roll is crucial for the integrity of democracy and that safeguards are in place for aggrieved individuals.
- Article 326
- Establishes adult suffrage for Lok Sabha and state Assembly elections
- Article 5
- Defines citizenship at the Constitution's commencement on January 26, 1950
- Article 6
- Grants citizenship to certain persons who migrated from Pakistan to India after Partition
- Article 7
- Addresses citizenship for those who migrated from India to Pakistan after March 1, 1947
- Special Intensive Revision (SIR)
- Electoral roll revision process currently underway in 12 states and Union Territories
- Bihar Exclusions
- At least 47 lakh voters excluded from the final electoral roll in Bihar
- Total Exclusions
- Nearly 6.5 crore names deleted from voter lists in nine states and three Union Territories
- Hearing Date
- The Supreme Court will continue hearing the matter on Thursday
