In a landmark achievement, the Election Commission of India has announced the successful culmination of the Special Summary Revision 2024 (SSR 2024) exercise, heralding a new era of inclusivity and transparency in India’s electoral process. With meticulous planning and coordination, the electoral rolls now boast inclusivity on an unparalleled scale, reflecting the vibrant diversity of India’s electorate.
The SSR 2024 saw an impressive increase in voter registrations, with over 96.88 crore voters now registered across the country. Notably, there has been a significant rise in female voter registrations, exemplifying a concerted effort towards gender parity and inclusivity within the electoral framework. The Electoral Roll gender ratio has surged positively, indicating the growing role of women in shaping the democratic fabric of the nation.
Youth engagement has been a focal point of the SSR 2024, with over 2 crore young electors added to the electoral roll. Special efforts were made to facilitate youth enrollment directly from educational institutions, fostering greater civic engagement among the younger populace.
In a commendable effort to support Persons with Disabilities (PwD), around 88.35 lakh PwD electors have been identified in the electoral roll database, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity on polling day. Additionally, special endeavors were undertaken to achieve 100% registration of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG), making the electoral rolls the most inclusive to date.
Rigorous scrutiny was applied during the SSR 2024, with thorough house-to-house verification leading to the deletion of names of deceased, permanently shifted, and duplicate electors from the electoral rolls. This comprehensive cleanup ensures the integrity and purity of the electoral process.
Transparency measures were implemented throughout the SSR 2024, including frequent meetings with political parties, sharing of draft and final Electoral Rolls, and regular updates of the list of claims and objections. Purification efforts focused on the deletion of duplicate/multiple entries, removal of names of deceased voters, and enhancing the image quality of electors’ photos.
Efforts were also made to improve the health of the electoral roll by bridging gaps in parameters such as electors/population ratio, gender ratio, and age cohort. Inclusivity remained a key priority, with targeted drives to increase enrollment among female electors, the Third Gender community, and PVTGs.
The Election Commission of India acknowledges the dedication of all members of the electoral machinery and the cooperation provided by citizens, political parties, and stakeholders in the successful conduct of SSR 2024. As India gears up for the General Elections 2024, this inclusive and diverse electoral roll stands as a testament to the strength of democracy and the unwavering spirit of civic participation among its citizens.
Background:
The preparation and maintenance of electoral rolls in India are mandated by Article 324 of the Constitution and the Representation of the People Act, 1950. The SSR 2024 was ordered with the intention of achieving high-fidelity electoral rolls, ensuring that no eligible citizen is deprived of their right to vote. Special emphasis was given to pre-revision activities, including training of field officials and intensive house-to-house verification. The SSR 2024 marks a significant step towards enhancing the transparency, inclusivity, and integrity of India’s electoral process.