Section 15: Section 15 – Electoral Roll to Be Prepared in the Prescribed Manner

Overview

Section 15 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, is the foundational provision for creating accurate and up-to-date electoral rolls for each assembly constituency. It doesn’t detail *how* this is done, but it gives the legal authority for the detailed rules that govern the entire voter registration process. Essentially, it’s the law that allows the Election Commission to make the rules that ensure everyone eligible can vote.

Key Provisions

• Mandatory Roll Preparation: This section clearly states that electoral rolls *must* be prepared. It’s not optional.
• Rule-Based Procedure: The preparation isn’t free-form; it must follow the procedures laid down in the rules made under this Act.
• Registration of Electors Rules, 1960 (RER 1960): These rules are the key. They provide the specific steps, forms, and timelines for voter registration.
• Forms for Voter Registration: The RER 1960 specifies forms like Form 6 (for new registrations), Form 7 (for objections), Form 8 (for changes), and others.

Impact on Voters and Electoral Rolls

Section 15 directly impacts every citizen who wants to vote. It ensures a structured and legally sound process for getting your name on the voter list. Without this section, there would be no legal basis for the Election Commission to demand information from citizens or to maintain accurate voter lists. It also impacts the structure of constituencies because accurate rolls are essential for fair representation. The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) – the house-to-house verification process – also derives its authority from this section, ensuring rolls are regularly updated.

Practical Examples

• Example 1: New Voter Registration – A young citizen, Priya, turns 18. She wants to vote. Section 15, through the RER 1960, allows her to submit Form 6 to the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) to get her name added to the electoral roll. The ERO is legally bound to process her application according to the rules established under Section 15.
• Example 2: Challenging a Name on the Roll – Rahul believes someone ineligible is on the voter list. Section 15, again through the RER 1960, empowers him to file an objection using Form 7. The ERO *must* investigate the objection following the procedures outlined in the rules, ensuring the integrity of the electoral roll.

Related Sections / Rules

This section works closely with several other parts of the Act and the Rules. Key connections include: Section 14 (Preparation of electoral rolls for parliamentary constituencies – similar principles apply), Section 20 (Publication of electoral rolls), and the entire Registration of Electors Rules, 1960 (especially rules relating to Forms 6, 7, 8, 8A, 11, 11A and 11B). Rule 26 of RER 1960 details the process of publication of the electoral roll.