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Amid opposition from opposition parties, the Election Commission on Monday clarified that special intensive revision of the voter list is not only necessary, but it is also in line with the Constitution. The Commission said that the voter list is a dynamic document, which continues to vary due to conditions like death, migration and joining of new voters. In such a situation, it is necessary to ensure that only eligible citizens are included in the voter list.

This explanation of the Election Commission has come at a time when many opposition leaders have alleged that voters can be removed from the list intentionally in the name of intensive revision by misusing the state machinery. In response, the Commission said that to become voters under Article 326 of the Constitution, it is necessary to be an Indian citizen only 18 or older and a general resident of the concerned constituency.

2003 voter list public

The Commission also informed that it has made public the voter list of Bihar in the year 2003 on its website. It has a details of 4.96 crore voters. This list will be used as a documentary proof in the current special intensive revision. With this, about 60% of the voters will not require a separate document, if they verify their name in the 2003 list.

Voters and BLO will be able to see information from website

Under this process, both voters and booth level officers (BLO) will be able to see information to the website. If a voter’s name is not in the 2003 list but his mother or father’s name is recorded, he can use that fraction as a document and no other document will be required for the parents.

The Election Commission also reiterated that under the Representation of the People Act, 1950 and Voter Registration Rules, 1960, revision of voter list is mandatory before every election. The Commission has been regularly revisiting the annual, summary and intensive revision for the last seven decades.

Thus, the Commission clarified that updating the voter list is not only administrative obligation, but also a constitutional requirement, so that fair and transparent elections can be ensured.