Election Commission of India (ECI) has informed the Supreme Court that there is no law in place to create a separate list of voters excluded from elections or to provide explanations for their exclusion, as stated in the Bihar SIR case.
The ongoing dispute between the Supreme Court of India and the Election Commission of India (ECI) revolves around the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Bihar.
Key Developments
The Supreme Court recently refused to stay the publication of the draft electoral rolls following the SIR exercise conducted in Bihar. The Court acknowledged the revision as "voter-friendly" due to its requirement for electors to submit any one of 11 documents for proof, compared to only seven documents in previous summary revisions, despite concerns over excluding Aadhaar as valid proof.
The ECI clarified to the Court that no elector’s name would be deleted from the draft roll without prior notice and a reasoned order, ensuring adherence to natural justice principles.
On August 14, 2025, the Supreme Court directed the ECI to publish a booth-wise list of nearly 6.5 million electors excluded from the draft rolls, specifying precise reasons such as death, migration, or duplicate registration. The Court also mandated widespread public notification that this information is available online, increasing transparency around the exclusions.
Petitioners have argued the SIR exercise is rushed, arbitrary, and risks disenfranchisement. The Court continues to hear detailed arguments assessing the exercise’s constitutionality and the adequacy of procedural safeguards.
The Court has expressed concern about a trust deficit between parties involved but so far found no constitutional violation in rejecting Aadhaar as standalone proof while emphasizing inclusion through multiple documents and procedural fairness.
Current Status
The matter is listed for hearing on August 12 and 13 in the Supreme Court of India. Further orders and final judgment are awaited as arguments proceed.
References
- The Hindu
- Live Law
- India Today
- Bar and Bench
- The Print
- The ongoing dispute between the Supreme Court of India and the Election Commission of India over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Bihar has become a significant topic in policy-and-legislation and general-news discussions in the nation's politics.
- As the Supreme Court evaluates the constitutionality and procedural safeguards of the SIR exercise, the media outlets like The Hindu, Live Law, India Today, Bar and Bench, and The Print are actively reporting on this important matter, providing updates on the development of the court case.
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