‘EC should clear air on nationwide SIR procedure’

Another guideline for intensive roll revision needs to be drafted and discussed with stakeholders, says Ashok Lavasa at 27th edition of Delhi Dialogue

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ORMER Election Commissioner, Ashok Lavasa, IAS (retd.), says the Election Commission of India’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in Bihar was “abrupt, aggressive and ambitious” and “avoidable” at this point in time.

Answering a range of questions over the controversy the exercise generated, he says that it is for the Commission to clarify the procedure it will adopt for the nationwide SIR. Excerpts:

Preetha Nair: What is your opinion about Bihar SIR?

I have gone on record to say that this particular exercise was, in my opinion, abrupt, aggressive, and ambitious. And because of all three reasons, I said that it was avoidable at this point in time. And the reason why I said these three things can be understood if you look at three perspectives. What was the purpose of the special intensive revision? What were the principles that were followed, and what was the procedure that was adopted? So, if you look at all three dimensions, then many things become clearer.

The SIR is not a phrase used in the Act or the rules. When you look at the notification of June 24, people started analysing the principles behind this revision, and I think there are two things that created difficulties. In none of the previous revision exercises did the ECI do what they did in this SIR. Then they said that all the voters or electors on the roll as of 2003, in their case, have probative evidence of eligibility. But they also said there is a presumption of citizenship. Whether the ECI has employed this phrase in the revision exercise or even in the enrollment exercise that we are ascertaining and certifying your citizenship, they have never stated this.