The Supreme Court on Tuesday slated hearings on August 12 and 13 to examine multiple petitions challenging the Election Commission of India’s decision to carry out a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi warned that if there is evidence of large-scale voter exclusion in the draft list—set to be published on August 1—the court will intervene promptly.
“We are overseeing this as a judicial authority. If there is mass exclusion, we will immediately step in,” the bench said.
Key Issues Raised By Petitioners
Advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), highlighted that around 65 lakh voters may be excluded because they allegedly did not submit enumeration forms during the SIR process, with many reportedly dead or having shifted permanently. Bhushan noted that these individuals would have to reapply for inclusion.
The ECI, through senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, clarified that objections can be raised against the draft electoral rolls before finalization.
Aadhaar & Voter Identity Verification Debated
The court recently urged the ECI to consider accepting Aadhaar cards and electoral photo identity cards as valid proofs of identity during the SIR. However, the Commission maintains that Aadhaar alone does not confirm citizenship or domicile but can be used at the objection stage to challenge voter identity claims.
Petitions Filed By Political Leaders & Activists
The petitions were filed by leaders including RJD MP Manoj Jha, activist Yogendra Yadav, Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra, former Bihar MLA Mujahid Alam, the ADR, and the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL). They contest the ECI’s June 24 directive, which requires voters to submit citizenship proof to remain on the electoral rolls.
ADR’s petition argues that the directive unfairly shifts the burden of proof onto citizens and excludes commonly held documents like Aadhaar and ration cards, potentially disenfranchising poor and marginalized voters, particularly in rural Bihar.
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