The Election Commission of India told the Supreme Court that US court judgments cannot be blindly relied upon, questioning due process in recent American actions cited by petitioners. Senior Advocate Rakesh Dwivedi argued that India’s constitutional framework on electoral roll revision cannot be compared with US practices while defending the SIR exercise.
The Supreme Court resumed hearing ADR-led petitions challenging the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar, focusing on the limits of the Election Commission’s powers. The Bench examined whether the SIR process violates constitutional principles of manifest arbitrariness and voter rights.
The Supreme Court cautioned that revision of electoral rolls can seriously affect civil rights if names are excluded from voters’ lists. Hearing challenges to the Election Commission’s SIR exercise, the Court said electoral powers cannot be “untrammelled” and must follow due process.
The Supreme Court has directed the Election Commission of India to extend Kerala’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls by 2 days after 20 lakh voter forms remained pending during the ongoing local body elections. This aims to ensure accurate voter registration.
Today, On 2nd December, Snr. Adv. Singhvi tells the Supreme Court that no one in 75 years has attempted an exercise like SIR, arguing that the ECI’s sweeping Special Intensive Revision violates the RP Act, lacks constituency-specific reasons, and exceeds constitutional limits.
Today, On 11th November, The Supreme Court questioned the poll body’s authority to decide citizenship during the Special Summary Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, saying “If ECI Has No Power, It Won’t,” while hearing pleas challenging the exercise in Bihar, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal.
Today, On 11th November, The Supreme Court stayed all High Court proceedings on the validity of the electoral roll revision across Bihar, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Pondicherry, directing that the matter be centrally heard, and scheduled the next hearing for November 26.
During a heated SC hearing on Bihar’s voter roll revision, Justice Surya Kant remarked, “Our own social media websites are sufficient,” while addressing concerns of criticism from foreign media. The case highlights worries over arbitrary voter deletions and rising misinformation against the judiciary.
The Election Commission has published 65 lakh deleted voter names in Bihar within 56 hours of a Supreme Court order. Reasons for deletions are now public on district websites.
The Election Commission told the Supreme Court that no voter’s name will be removed from Bihar’s draft electoral roll without prior notice, a chance to be heard, and a reasoned order. The assurance comes amid challenges to the Special Intensive Revision ahead of state elections.
