New Delhi:
The Supreme Court is set to hear on Monday, 28 July, a batch of petitions challenging the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) decision to carry out a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar.
A Bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi will take up the matter in which the EC has defended its move, calling the revision a constitutionally sound process aimed at ensuring clean and accurate electoral rolls ahead of the state Assembly elections.
The EC issued directions for the SIR on 24 June, stating that the exercise was being conducted to “weed out ineligible persons” and include all eligible voters. In its affidavit before the apex court, the Commission asserted that the revision “adds to the purity of the election process.”
The poll panel also pointed out that all major political parties were actively involved in the process. Over 1.5 lakh booth-level agents were deployed across the state to reach out to eligible voters and assist with corrections and enrolment. “It is unfortunate that some parties are now opposing a process they were initially part of,” the EC stated.
The petitioners have challenged both the timing and the procedure of the SIR. They argue that conducting such a revision so close to the elections could result in errors or exclusions in the final voter list, thereby affecting the electoral rights of citizens. The parties have raised concerns about transparency, possible voter suppression, and the lack of a uniform cut-off date.
Bihar, a politically significant state, is expected to go to polls later this year. The outcome of the case could set a precedent for how voter roll updates are handled during an election year.
The EC, however, maintains that it is functioning within the ambit of the Representation of the People Act and has full constitutional authority to conduct such revisions as part of its routine duties. It also stated that the process is meant to correct errors and ensure inclusion, and not to disenfranchise voters.
Legal experts believe the case may clarify the scope of the Election Commission’s powers regarding voter list management during election periods. The court’s observations and eventual ruling could have long-term implications for the conduct of elections across India.
The petitions are expected to be taken up at length in Monday’s hearing. A ruling in favour of the petitioners could halt or alter the ongoing revision process, while a verdict upholding the EC’s stance would allow the SIR to proceed as scheduled.
