Electoral Integrity versus the Right to Vote: A Constitutional Analysis of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in India

Abstract

An accurate electoral roll is necessary for free and fair elections. At the same time, every eligible citizen must have an equal chance to exercise the right to vote. Bihar's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in 2025 brought this issue into not only public but also legal debate. While the Election Commission of India said the exercise aimed to remove errors and ensure only eligible electors remained on the rolls, concerns were raised about documentation, possible exclusion, and the procedure followed.

This paper examines the constitutional and legal framework governing SIR, with particular reference to Articles 14, 324, 325, and 326 of the Constitution of India, the Representation of the People Act, 1950, and the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960. It also analyses the Supreme Court's decision in Association for Democratic Reforms v. Election Commission of India (2026), which upheld the legality of the Bihar SIR exercise. The paper argues that preserving accurate electoral rolls and protecting eligible voters are equally important parts of a democratic electoral system. It concludes that clear rules, proper notice, fair hearings, transparent decisions, and accessible remedies can help achieve both objectives.