Economist Jean Drèze Urges Scrapping of Special Electoral Roll Review

Swift Summary:

• On July 21, 2025, several organisations held a public hearing in Patna, Bihar to discuss the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise of electoral rolls.
• Organisers included Bharat jodo Abhiyan, Jan Jagran Shakti Sangathan, National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM), and others. The panel featured prominent individuals such as economist Jean Drèze and former judge Anjana Prakash.
• Participants from 14 districts shared their grievances regarding difficulties with SIR processes:

– Complaints of paying ₹100 for form-filling assistance due to illiteracy were common.
– Instances where Booth Level Officers (BLOs) neglected proper procedures or directly filled forms without voter signatures were reported.
– Some individuals faced threats from district management for raising concerns about irregularities.
– Flood victims in the Kosi region claimed loss of critical documents necessary for the process.

• Critics argued that unclear goals and impractical demands resulted in exclusionary practices that could disenfranchise voters.
• Panelists recommended cancelling the SIR rather than modifying it, citing violations of election Commission procedures and it’s adverse effects on democracy.

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Indian Opinion Analysis:

The public hearing on Bihar’s Special Intensive Revision exercise highlights significant logistical challenges and systemic issues surrounding election management. From improper oversight by Booth Level Officers to socio-economic barriers like illiteracy, poverty, and disaster-related documentation losses-voters across rural areas appear disproportionately affected.

Concerns voiced during the panel signal risks to key democratic principles such as political equality and worldwide suffrage.If large sections of society are unable to comply with process requirements due to practical hurdles or administrative lapses, questions emerge about inclusivity within India’s electoral framework. Economists’ warnings about potential biases against certain communities further emphasize these gaps.

This event stresses the need for a review of procedural complexities within reforms aimed at improving voter registries-not only ensuring compliance but also safeguarding citizen participation irrespective of socioeconomic status or regional disparities-a cornerstone ideal of democracy.

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