ECI Files Supreme Court Affidavit on Measures to Re‑include ‘ASDD’ Voters – New SIR Guidelines

Overview The ECI filed a supplementary affidavit in the Supreme Court on 14 November 2026 . The affidavit outlines fresh steps to bring back voters wrongly marked as ‘absent, shifted, dead or duplicate’ (ASDD) in the draft electoral rolls. Key Developments Directions issued on 6 November 2026 to Chief Electoral Officers of all States and Union Territories where the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is underway. Voters can submit a duly‑filled Enumeration Form (Annexure A) with required annexures to the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) or Assistant ERO (AERO). Online submission with e‑signature will be enabled on the ECINET portal. Booth‑wise lists of left‑out voters (ASDD) will be displayed publicly with probable reasons for exclusion. Any previously registered voter who had submitted Form 6 for re‑inclusion will not need to file a fresh Enumeration Form. Important Facts • The affidavit cites Representation of the People Act, 1950 Section 31, which criminalises false declarations in voter forms. The ECI assures that re‑inclusion will not expose voters to prosecution. • Submitted Enumeration Forms will be processed under Rule 21(1) of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960 . The same EPIC number will be reassigned to the voter. • A new work order issued on 4 November 2026 re‑assigned oversight of the ECI’s IT Division to a senior Deputy Election Commissioner (DEC) . This addresses concerns that the DG (IT) was bypassing DEC‑level supervision. UPSC Relevance Understanding the ECI’s mechanisms for electoral roll correction is vital for GS 2 (Polity). Questions on voter registration, the role of the ECI, and the legal framework of the Representation of the People Act frequently appear in prelims and mains. The procedural safeguards against wrongful exclusion illustrate the checks‑and‑balances built into India’s electoral system. Way Forward • States must ensure rapid dissemination of the booth‑wise ASDD lists and facilitate online submission of Enumeration Forms. • The ECI should monitor the re‑assignment of EPIC numbers to avoid duplication. • Continuous oversight by the senior DEC will help maintain transparency in the IT Division’s functioning. • Civil society and activists should keep tracking the implementation to ensure that no eligible voter is denied the right to vote, a cornerstone of India’s democratic ethos.