How is it possible? Kejriwal and family get SIR notice in Delhi, EC responds

The recent issuance of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) notices to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his family members has sparked controversy. The AAP chief’s query, “Is everything happening in this country just to keep the Supreme Lord happy?” was a wry aside that points to a deeper issue: why does a high-profile individual need to be served a notice when their family’s inclusion in the voter list should have been a straightforward process?

The Delhi Election Commission explains that Kejriwal and his family members’ Enumeration Forms lacked sufficient details to link them with their respective states’ electoral rolls. While it is not uncommon for individuals from diverse backgrounds or newly settled areas to encounter difficulties registering themselves on the electoral roll, one expects a smoother process when a chief minister is involved.

The SIR exercise has already removed nearly 47.6 lakh names from Delhi’s draft electoral roll, with only a fraction of affected individuals seeking re-inclusion through Form 6 applications. This massive purge raises concerns about data accuracy and the potential for disenfranchisement on a large scale. Many of those excluded have been categorized as Absent or Shifted, but clear criteria for determining these categories are lacking.

The Delhi Election Commission’s procedures for addressing discrepancies in electoral rolls seem opaque at best. The ERO’s statement outlining reasons for issuing notices is a perfect example of bureaucratic jargon masking underlying issues. While the commission claims to have communicated procedures to electors, it remains unclear what specific details were missing from Kejriwal and his family members’ Enumeration Forms.

The recent controversy surrounding Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta’s electoral entry also highlights the need for greater transparency in the electoral process. Her case was resolved after verification of documents, but many others are still waiting for their inclusion in the final electoral roll. The 91,826 applications received during the claims and objections phase demonstrate the scale of the problem.

The SIR exercise is part of a broader trend where electoral rolls are being purged or revised without adequate safeguards against disenfranchisement. In recent years, we’ve seen cases of voters being struck off the rolls due to technicalities or administrative errors. The lack of clear guidelines and accountability mechanisms has created an environment where electoral authorities can act with impunity.

As India gears up for its next set of elections, it is essential that the electoral process is streamlined and made more inclusive. The SIR exercise should be seen as an opportunity to rectify past mistakes and ensure that all eligible voters are registered on the electoral roll. However, without greater transparency and accountability, we risk perpetuating a system where even high-profile individuals can fall through the cracks.

The Delhi Election Commission’s statement that the disposal process for notices will be completed by October 29 may provide some solace to Kejriwal and his family members, but it doesn’t address the underlying issues. The controversy surrounding their voter list snafu serves as a reminder of the need for electoral authorities to prioritize transparency and accuracy in the electoral roll revision process.

The SIR exercise should be seen as a chance to correct past mistakes and create a more inclusive electoral process – anything less would be an affront to democracy itself.