Electoral rolls

In the news

• Fourth of 19 judges quits Bengal's SIR appeal tribunals as Murshidabad appeals stall 8 November 2026 · The Hindu

  Nearly 91 lakh names were cut from Bengal's rolls. Who hears the appeals when the judges keep leaving?

• EC orders Special Summary Revision of voter rolls in 17 States and UTs ahead of 2027 polls 16 October 2026 · The Hindu

  After a bruising intensive revision, the EC returns to the routine way of updating rolls. What is different?

• Op-ed: After the SIR, use Aadhaar to keep voter rolls clean 15 September 2026 · Indian Express

  The government trusts Aadhaar to pay pensions and deliver rations. Should it also decide who stays on the voter list?

Key facts

• Retired judge Biswajit Basu is the fourth of 19 retired judges to quit the West Bengal SIR appellate tribunals. (8 November 2026)
• The West Bengal SIR deleted nearly 91 lakh voters from the electoral rolls. (8 November 2026)
• On 15 October 2026 the ECI ordered a Special Summary Revision of electoral rolls in 17 States and UTs with 1 January 2027 as the qualifying date. (16 October 2026)
• Draft rolls come out on 12 November 2026, claims and objections run until 11 December, and final rolls are due on 4 January 2027. (16 October 2026)
• Article 324 vests superintendence, direction and control of electoral rolls in the Election Commission; Section 21(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 allows a special revision. (15 September 2026)
• Article 326: every citizen aged 18 or above who is not disqualified by law can vote; the 61st Amendment (1988) lowered the age from 21. (15 September 2026)

Previous-year questions

1. 2026 · GS2 · 10 marks Is the right to vote a fundamental right? Discuss the position of the Election Commission of India while undertaking the revision of electoral rolls. Can it also examine the question of citizenship of the voters?
2. 2022 · GS2 · 10 marks Reforming the government delivery system through the Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme is a progressive step, but it has its limitations too. Comment.
3. 2018 · GS2 · 15 marks How far do you agree with the view that tribunals curtail the jurisdiction of ordinary courts? In view of the above, discuss the constitutional validity and competency of the tribunals in India.
4. 2017 · GS2 · 15 marks To enhance the quality of democracy in India the Election Commission of India has proposed electoral reforms in 2016. What are the suggested reforms and how far are they significant to make democracy successful?
5. 2017 · Prelims Consider the following statements: 1. The Election Commission of India is a five-member body. 2. Union Ministry of Home Affairs decides the election schedule for the conduct of both general elections and bye-elections…