SC Clears ECI On Bihar SIR Roll Revision
The Election Commission of India (ECI) cannot be blamed for conducting a state-wide Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, when the reason for the exercise is common across all constituencies. This was ruled by a bench of the Supreme Court of India (SC). The court said uniform justification applies if the same conditions prevail throughout the state.
Legal Backing for SIR
The SC noted that periodic revisions of voter lists are within the constitutional powers of ECI under Article 324 and governed by Section 21(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. Given that the same factors — such as migration, deaths, and duplication — affected many parts of Bihar, a uniform roll-revision cannot be faulted. The court also previously held that expanding the list of acceptable identity documents for SIR made the exercise more inclusive, not exclusionary.
What Happens Next
ECI must provide details of names deleted during SIR and the reason for deletion. Affected citizens are allowed to challenge exclusions by submitting valid identity and residence proofs. This process, the court said, preserves voter rights while ensuring roll accuracy.
