A fresh controversy has emerged over the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) Special Summary Revision (SSR) process, which is used to update electoral rolls and enrol newly eligible voters, including those who have recently turned 18.
According to a report by The Economic Times, the regular SSR has not been carried out since the 2024 cycle. The 2026–27 revision, which is generally announced in May or June, has also not been announced, raising questions over the routine updating of electoral rolls and the enrolment of new 18-year-old voters.
Congress Targets PM Modi Over SSR Delay
Following the report, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and alleged that the delay was intended to prevent the enrolment of Gen Z voters.
In a post on X, Ramesh claimed that the Special Summary Revision had been halted since 2024 “to ensure that Gen Z voters are not enrolled”. He also accused the Prime Minister of being concerned about the aspirations of young voters.
The allegations came amid reports of differences within the three-member Election Commission comprising Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.
According to the report, Sandhu and Joshi have advocated restarting the SSR. The CEC was reported to have sought a legal opinion on whether the annual revision should be conducted while the more intensive Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise was taking place.
The report further said that even after the legal advice was received, the two Election Commissioners continued to support resuming the SSR, referring to the ECI’s own electoral-roll manual.
What Is Special Summary Revision?
The Special Summary Revision is a routine process through which electoral rolls are updated. It provides an opportunity to add newly eligible voters, correct errors in existing records and update voter information.
During the process, eligible citizens can apply for inclusion in the electoral rolls, while existing voters can seek corrections to their details. Discrepancies can also be addressed, photographs and other information can be updated, and members of the public can submit claims and objections.
The process generally involves preparatory work followed by publication of a draft electoral roll. This is followed by a period for claims and objections, necessary corrections and the eventual publication of the revised electoral roll.
Why Has the Delay Become a Concern?
The reported pause in the regular SSR has raised concerns because it could affect the routine addition of people who have recently reached the voting age of 18.
The issue has also emerged alongside reported differences within the Election Commission over the timing of SSR and SIR exercises. The Indian Express had earlier reported dissent within the three-member poll panel involving Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.
Whether an annual SSR should proceed while an SIR is being conducted depends largely on the electoral requirements of individual states, particularly those where elections are approaching.
Under Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, electoral rolls are required to be revised before every Assembly election or by-election.
According to a report in The New Indian Express, the ECI has stated that both SSR and SIR are conducted under Section 21(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, and that both processes are optional.
SSR and SIR During Election Preparation
When an SIR is being conducted or has recently been completed in certain states, the ECI generally puts a nationwide or blanket SSR on hold. The last nationwide SSR was conducted in 2024, followed by the SIR exercise in Bihar.
However, the ECI can still order targeted SSR exercises in states where Assembly elections are approaching. Such revisions can establish a fresh qualifying date and allow people who have recently turned 18 to be added to the electoral rolls before voting takes place.
This makes the revision process particularly relevant for poll-bound states such as Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Punjab and Uttarakhand.