Section 29: Section 29 – Preparation, Revision, and Correction of Council Constituency Rolls

Overview

Section 29 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, details how electoral rolls are created and kept up-to-date specifically for Council constituencies. These are special constituencies representing local bodies and educational institutions. It outlines the process for making changes to these rolls to ensure they accurately reflect who is eligible to vote.

Key Provisions

• Revision and Correction: This section empowers the Election Commission to revise, correct, amend, and update electoral rolls for Council constituencies. This isn’t a one-time event; it’s an ongoing process.
• Following Election Commission Rules: All revisions and corrections must be done according to the rules and procedures set by the Election Commission of India.
• Changes in Qualification: The rolls are updated to reflect changes in a person’s eligibility – for example, if someone gains or loses membership in a local body, or changes their teaching/employment status in an educational institution.
• Parallel Structure: This section works similarly to Sections 21-23 which deal with general constituencies, but is specifically tailored for Council constituencies.

Impact on Voters and Electoral Rolls

Section 29 ensures that the electoral rolls for Council constituencies are accurate and reflect the current composition of the bodies they represent. This directly impacts voters by ensuring that only eligible individuals (members of local bodies or teachers/employees of educational institutions) are registered to vote in these constituencies. Regular revisions prevent ineligible individuals from voting and ensure that all eligible voters are included.

Practical Examples

• Example 1: New Teacher A new teacher is appointed to a government school. Section 29 allows for their name to be added to the electoral roll for the relevant Council constituency, making them eligible to vote.
• Example 2: Councillor Resignation A councillor resigns from a municipal corporation. Section 29 allows for their name to be removed from the electoral roll for the Council constituency representing that corporation, as they are no longer eligible to vote in that constituency. This is a slightly more complex case as it requires official notification of the resignation.

Related Sections / Rules

This section frequently works in conjunction with Sections 21-23 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, which deal with the preparation and revision of electoral rolls for parliamentary and assembly constituencies. The Registration of Electors Rules, 1962, provide detailed procedures for how the Election Commission implements the provisions of Section 29, including timelines and specific forms to be used.