Bihar SIR row: SC directs EC to share ‘detailed reasons’ on removal of 65 lakh voters
India’s apex court on Wednesday directed Election Commission of India (ECI) to provide a comprehensive response to a petition seeking detailed reasons for the removal of over 65 lakh voters from Bihar's draft electoral rolls.A petition was filed by the NGO Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) that expressed concerns about the transparency and integrity of the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) process preceding the upcoming assembly elections.The bench comprising Justices Surya Kant, Ujjal Bhuyan, and N Kotiswar Singh asked the counsel representing the Election Commission to present the details of the 65 lakh voters who were removed, and also share the information with ADR.Arguments by Prashant BhushanAdvocate Prashant Bhushan, representing ADR, argued that reasons for removing names should be specified, as the list in question is merely a draft. He pointed out that political parties had been given the list of removed voters, but no justification for the deletions was provided. The bench further observed that 75% of the voters who had filled out voter registration forms had not submitted any of the 11 supporting documents listed, and their names had been added based on recommendations from Booth Level Officers (BLOs).Each affected voter to be contactedThe bench told the Election Commission’s counsel, “We will contact each affected voter and obtain the necessary information. You (the Election Commission) must submit your response by Saturday. After that, we will examine what has been disclosed and what has not.” The hearing on petitions challenging the June 24 directive of the Election Commission is scheduled to begin on August 12, during which the NGO may present its arguments.Next hearing on August 12Describing the Election Commission as a constitutional authority functioning under the law, the Supreme Court had earlier stated on July 29 that it would intervene immediately if there had been large-scale deletions in Bihar’s voter list under the SIR process. The bench set deadlines to review petitions challenging the SIR process in Bihar and scheduled hearings for August 12 and 13.Also read:Lok Sabha adjourned for day as deadlock over Bihar SIR persists
India’s apex court on Wednesday directed Election Commission of India (ECI) to provide a comprehensive response to a petition seeking detailed reasons for the removal of over 65 lakh voters from Bihar's draft electoral rolls.
A petition was filed by the NGO Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) that expressed concerns about the transparency and integrity of the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) process preceding the upcoming assembly elections.
The bench comprising Justices Surya Kant, Ujjal Bhuyan, and N Kotiswar Singh asked the counsel representing the Election Commission to present the details of the 65 lakh voters who were removed, and also share the information with ADR.
Arguments by Prashant Bhushan
Advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing ADR, argued that reasons for removing names should be specified, as the list in question is merely a draft. He pointed out that political parties had been given the list of removed voters, but no justification for the deletions was provided. The bench further observed that 75% of the voters who had filled out voter registration forms had not submitted any of the 11 supporting documents listed, and their names had been added based on recommendations from Booth Level Officers (BLOs).
Each affected voter to be contacted
The bench told the Election Commission’s counsel, “We will contact each affected voter and obtain the necessary information. You (the Election Commission) must submit your response by Saturday. After that, we will examine what has been disclosed and what has not.” The hearing on petitions challenging the June 24 directive of the Election Commission is scheduled to begin on August 12, during which the NGO may present its arguments.
Next hearing on August 12
Describing the Election Commission as a constitutional authority functioning under the law, the Supreme Court had earlier stated on July 29 that it would intervene immediately if there had been large-scale deletions in Bihar’s voter list under the SIR process. The bench set deadlines to review petitions challenging the SIR process in Bihar and scheduled hearings for August 12 and 13.
Also read:
Lok Sabha adjourned for day as deadlock over Bihar SIR persists
What's Your Reaction?
