Today, On 26th November, The Election Commission told the Supreme Court that political parties are spreading unnecessary fear and creating widespread confusion among citizens about SIR-related concerns raised in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) informed the Supreme Court that political parties are instilling a scare regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls being conducted in Bihar, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi was reviewing pleas challenging the validity of the SIR and requesting a postponement of the process.
In response to the Kerala government’s request to delay the SIR, the Court instructed the ECI and the State Election Commission (SEC) to submit their responses by December 1 and scheduled the case for a hearing on December 2.
The Court directed,
“Let ECI, SEC file the counter in Kerala SIR case by December 1. List the case on December 2,”
The petitions disputing the SIR in Tamil Nadu will be examined on December 4, while those regarding the West Bengal exercise will be discussed on December 9.
The Supreme Court has been addressing multiple petitions that question the implementation of Special Intensive Revisions (SIR) of electoral rolls across different States.
Earlier this month, the Kerala government approached the top court, requesting a deferral of the SIR process until after the local body elections in the State have concluded.
The government argued that there is no pressing need for the SIR in Kerala at this time and that conducting both the SIR and the local body elections simultaneously would place significant administrative pressure on the State.
While the Kerala government indicated it may challenge the SIR process in the future, its current request is solely focused on postponing the exercise.
Notably, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)], the Communist Party of India (CPI), and Indian Union Muslim League leader PK Kunhalikutty have also approached the Court, contesting the validity of the SIR process.
The Court issued notices regarding these petitions on November 21.
The ECI originally announced a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in June 2025 for Bihar. Following this, numerous petitions were submitted to the Supreme Court, challenging this initiative.
Despite these ongoing legal disputes, the ECI extended the SIR to additional States and Union Territories, including Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Kerala, on October 27. Consequently, the SIR processes in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal were also contested, with the Supreme Court issuing notices on those petitions on November 11.
The SIR for Bihar has been completed, as the Supreme Court did not impose a stay on the process.
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