SC Rejects Interim Stay on Bihar’s Voter List Revision
The Supreme Court of India has declined to grant an interim stay on the Election Commission’s roll revision in Bihar, allowing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) to proceed while a full hearing is pending. The EC aims to update voter rolls ahead of upcoming elections under this exercise.
Bihar voter roll
In rejecting the stay, the Court emphasized that no case of actual disenfranchisement has been proven yet. Petitioners—led by political representatives—had alleged that the SIR ordering additional documentation could wrongly delete millions of legitimate voters. The EC has maintained that existing voters won’t be removed without adequate verification, which includes home visits and grievance redressal.
SC decision
A five-judge bench, featuring Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, instructed petitioners to first challenge deletions in the appropriate forum once their names are officially removed. The Court declined interim intervention, finding no immediate threat to democratic rights that would warrant halting the process in full. The hearing was deferred to explore these concerns once more concrete evidence emerges.
SIR review
The EC’s SIR initiative—unprecedented since 2003—mandates voters update their information with stricter ID requirements. Critics say timelines and documentation conditions could suppress electoral inclusion, particularly among migrants, youth, and marginalized groups. The EC defends SIR as necessary to maintain accurate and legally robust voter lists.
