Mapping exercise is related to citizenship verification under Constitution, says CEC Gyanesh Kumar
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar stated that the current electoral roll revision is a constitutional citizenship verification exercise. He emphasized that the process aims to remove ineligible names rather than delete valid voters.
Why it matters
Clarifying the purpose of electoral roll updates is critical for maintaining public trust in the integrity of the democratic process.
The Election Commission’s ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is fundamentally a citizenship verification exercise mandated by the Constitution and electoral laws, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar said on Friday (July 17).
He asserted that the commission was only identifying electors who were absent, shifted, dead, duplicated or otherwise ineligible.
Addressing more than 380 media professionals from states and union territories at the Election Commission of India’s national media conference, Mr. Kumar said the mapping exercise stemmed directly from Article 326 of the Constitution, which restricts voting rights to Indian citizens aged 18 years or above who are ordinarily residing in a constituency.
“Mapping is related to citizenship,” Mr. Kumar said. “Article 326 lays down three conditions for voting - citizenship, age and ordinary residence. The commission has to ensure that electoral rolls comply with these constitutional requirements.”
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