Election Commission Initiates Special Intensive Review Process Amid Concerns for Vulnerable Voters
The Election Commission has launched a Special Intensive Review (SIR) aimed at ensuring that vulnerable voter groups, including the elderly and disabled, receive necessary support during the registration process. Despite initial concerns raised by Election Commissioner Sukbir Singh Sandhu regarding the inclusion of citizenship references, the final order has omitted these details. The Commission is under scrutiny for its handling of the review process, with calls for clarity on the changes made. This article delves into the implications of the new order and the measures taken to assist those in need.
Dec 2, 2025, 22:23 IST
Overview of the Special Intensive Review Process
On June 24, the Election Commission issued an order to commence a Special Intensive Review (SIR) across the nation. On the same day, Election Commissioner Sukbir Singh Sandhu noted several critical precautions in the draft of this order. According to available information, Sandhu emphasized the need to ensure that elderly, sick, disabled (PwD), impoverished, and other vulnerable voter groups do not face any difficulties during this process and receive all necessary assistance.
Details of the Review Process
As part of this special review, all current voters were required to fill out a re-enumeration form, and certain categories of individuals needed to provide additional documents to prove their eligibility. Sandhu's remarks were made in this context. The Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar, later approved the draft, and notably, the order was sanctioned the same day via WhatsApp, indicating the urgency of the process.
Changes in the Final Order
Interestingly, the provisions mentioned in the draft did not appear in the final order. The draft linked the SIR directly to the Citizenship Act, stating that there had been no comprehensive review in the country since significant amendments to the law in 2004. However, all references to the Citizenship Act and the amendments from 2003-04 were removed in the final order. Instead, it was simply noted that, according to Article 326 of the Constitution, being an Indian citizen is mandatory to become a voter. This incomplete statement is recorded in paragraph 8 of the final order, and the Election Commission has yet to comment on it.
Official Response and Concerns
On November 28, an official response was sought from the Commission regarding this change, but no reply was received. Similarly, inquiries were made to Sandhu regarding his notes and their approval, but he was unavailable. Nevertheless, an examination of the final order indicates that Sandhu's concerns were partially addressed.
Clarifications on Voter Registration
Paragraph 13 clarifies that individuals who do not submit their re-enumeration forms by July 25, 2025, will not be included in the draft roll. However, it also states that actual voters from older, sick, disabled, and marginalized groups should not face any issues, and volunteer assistance should be made available as needed. Notably, the term “citizens” used by Sandhu has been removed from the final version.