Election Commission's SIR (Indian Constitution and Polity)
Election Commission's SIR (Indian Constitution and Polity)
Why In News:
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has made it mandatory for new voter applicants filing Form 6 to declare the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) status of their parents or grandparents.
The requirement, first introduced during the Bihar SIR (launched June 2025), has now been extended and embedded into the online ECINET portal.
Source: The Indian Express, Page 12, 13 July 2026 - 'EC now wants SIR status of new voters' parents: What this means'
What is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)?
SIR is a comprehensive, house-to-house verification exercise of electoral rolls aimed at removing duplicate, deceased, permanently shifted, absent, and non-citizen entries, while ensuring all eligible citizens are enrolled.
The ECI has maintained that SIR is conducted under its powers derived from Article 324 of the Constitution and the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, and is consistent with directions of the Supreme Court.
Election Commission of India (ECI)
ECI is a constitutional body responsible for conducting free and fair elections to the Union and State legislatures in India.
It was established on 25 January 1950 under the Constitution of India. This day is also observed as National Voters’ Day.
The ECI Secretariat is located in New Delhi.
The Commission conducts elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, and the offices of the President and Vice President.
However, it does not supervise elections to Panchayats and Municipalities, which are conducted by the State Election Commissions (SECs).
Composition of the ECI
Initially, the ECI was a single-member body headed by the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC).
Following the Election Commissioner (Amendment) Act, 1989, it became a multi-member Commission.
At present, the ECI comprises the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and two Election Commissioners (ECs).
At the State level, the Commission is assisted by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO).
Appointment and Tenure
The President of India appoints the CEC and Election Commissioners under the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023.
Their tenure is six years or until they attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
Removal
The CEC and Election Commissioners may resign before the completion of their tenure.
The Chief Election Commissioner can be removed only through a Parliamentary process similar to the removal of a Supreme Court Judge.
Election Commissioners can be removed only on the recommendation of the Chief Election Commissioner.