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Election Commission orders suspension of two Pilibhit EROs over roll irregularities

By CAShorts DeskPublished Source: The Indian Express, The Hindu; Representation of the People Act, 1950; Constitution of India.

Election Commission orders suspension of two Pilibhit EROs over roll irregularities
Illustration (AI-generated)

The Election Commission (EC) on 31 October 2026 ordered both electoral registration officers (EROs) of Uttar Pradesh's Pilibhit Assembly seat suspended over electoral-roll irregularities. It had a charge of a public servant disobeying the law added to FIRs against them and an operator. Every ERO in the State must now recheck roll entries.

Syllabus: Prelims · Polity & Governance; GS2 · Representation of the People Act; GS2 · Constitutional Bodies

Why this matters for UPSC

GS2 polity: the Election Commission and the Representation of the People Act, 1950. Prelims can ask Article 324 and EROs' duties; Mains, accountability for electoral-roll errors.

Why it matters

A voter in Pilibhit whose details were changed with no form on file may find a wrong entry on polling day, and cannot easily learn who changed it. The electoral roll decides who may vote, so an error can shut out a real voter or let a false entry stand. By acting against the officers in charge, and not only the operator who typed the data, the EC tells every roll officer in the country that signing off on entries carries personal risk. The recheck across Uttar Pradesh widens the test from one seat to the whole State, where the same office set-up is used.

Prelims pointers

  • Under Article 324(6), the President or a State's Governor must make available the staff the Election Commission requests for its functions.
  • An ERO may be an officer of the government or of a local authority, not necessarily a State civil servant.
  • An ERO corrects, transposes or deletes roll entries subject to the Election Commission's general or special directions.
  • No suit for damages lies against an ERO or roll official for a breach of official duty in roll work.
  • Section 32 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 is a roll-work offence; Section 198 of the BNS is a general offence of a public servant disobeying the law.

Practise a UPSC-style question

With reference to the Election Commission of India, consider the following statements:

1. Article 324 vests in it the superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of electoral rolls.

2. Its control under Article 324 covers elections to Parliament and State legislatures but not the office of Vice-President.

3. The President or a Governor must, when it so requests, make available the staff it needs for its functions.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. (a) 1 and 2 only
  2. (b) 2 and 3 only
  3. (c) 1 and 3 only
  4. (d) 1, 2 and 3
Show the answer

Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only

Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only. Article 324 gives the EC roll and election control and a right to staff, Vice-President's election included.

Statement 1: correct. Article 324(1) vests the superintendence, direction and control of preparing electoral rolls, and of conducting elections, in the Election Commission.

Statement 2: incorrect. Article 324(1) also covers elections to the offices of President and Vice-President, besides Parliament and every State legislature.

Statement 3: correct. Article 324(6) requires the President, or a State's Governor, to make available the staff the EC requests for its functions.

Eliminate: Statement 2 is wrong, since Article 324(1) names the Vice-President's election. Out: (a), (b), (d).

Trap: Wrong scope. Statement 2 narrows Article 324 to legislatures, a plausible cut because Vice-Presidential elections feel separate from general elections.

Remember: Article 324 covers rolls and elections to Parliament, State legislatures, President and Vice-President.

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