Election Laws (Amendment) Bill 2021

Election Laws (Amendment) Bill 2021

Subject – Polity

Context – RS passes electoral reforms Bill amid Opposition protest

Concept –

• The Bill amends the Representation of the People Act, 1950 and the Representation of the People Act, 1951 to implement certain electoral reforms.
  • The 1950 Act provides for allocation of seats and delimitation of constituencies for elections, qualifications of voters, and preparation of electoral rolls.
  • The 1951 Act provides for the conduct of elections, and offences and disputes related to elections.
• Linking electoral roll data with Aadhaar:
  • The 1950 Act provides that a person may apply to the electoral registration officer for inclusion of their name in the electoral roll of a constituency.
  • The Bill adds that the electoral registration officer may require a person to furnish their Aadhaar number for establishing their identity.
  • Persons will not be denied inclusion in the electoral roll or have their names deleted from the roll, if they are unable to furnish Aadhaar number due to sufficient cause as prescribed. Such persons may be permitted to furnish alternate documents prescribed by the central government.
• Qualifying date for enrolment in electoral roll:
  • Under the 1950 Act, the qualifying date for enrolment in the electoral roll is January 1 of the year in which such roll is being prepared or revised.  This implies that a person who turns 18 (i.e., eligible to vote) after January 1 can enrol in the electoral roll only when the roll is prepared/ revised the next year.
  • The Bill amends this to provide four qualifying dates in a calendar year, which will be January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1.