The Election Commission of India (ECI) has rolled out a special enrolment drive across 20 states and Union Territories where the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) has already been completed. This administrative measure aims to facilitate the inclusion of eligible voters—particularly those omitted or categorized under the ASDD (Absent, Shifted, Dead, or Deleted) list—following controversies surrounding voter roll deletions.
Key Highlights of the Special Drive
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Relaxation of Documentation: Voters in states where the SIR process has concluded are exempt from using the additional declaration previously required alongside Form 6 during the intensive revision period.
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Standard Rules Apply: The ECI clarified that during non-SIR periods, regular provisions and standard application forms prescribed under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, apply. Eligible citizens seeking to register or re-enroll can submit the standard Form 6 without extra SIR-specific declarations.
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On-Ground Implementation:
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In Goa, booth-level officers have initiated door-to-door campaigns to help left-out voters file their applications.
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In West Bengal, the Chief Electoral Officer’s (CEO) office has published the ASDD lists online, allowing affected individuals to verify their status and submit Form 6 applications either online or via their local Booth Level Officer.
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Political Context and Backlash
The special drive comes against the backdrop of intense political friction. Opposition parties, including INDIA bloc constituents, have launched protests in the national capital criticizing the electoral roll revision and demanding greater transparency, alongside raising objections regarding deleted voter names. While the ECI frames the ongoing outreach as a continuous-updation mechanism to safeguard franchise rights, legal experts and political critics continue to debate the administrative pathways utilized for restoring names removed during high-intensity revisions.
