SC Backs EC’s Electoral Roll Revision in Bihar, Questions Only the Timing

On Thursday, the Supreme Court, while hearing a petition challenging the EC’s decision on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar, said that there was logic in the EC’s move and called it crucial, as the state is just a few months away from elections.

The petition was being heard by a bench comprising Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Joymalya Bagchi, and arguments were heard both for and against whether the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll needs to be stayed. The Court said that the election watchdog has a mandate under the Constitution to carry out such exercises. This petition was filed by activists, NGOs, and the opposition.

The bench comprising Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Joymalya Bagchi said that the poll watchdog is doing its work according to the mandate under the Constitution: “There is a practicality involved. They fixed the date (2003 roll) because it was the first time after computerisation. So, there is logic. You can demolish it, but you cannot say that there is no logic.”

Pointing out the timing, the Court said that the exercise is not an issue; it is the timing that is questionable.

The whole matter started last month when the EC ordered a revision in electoral rolls, apprehending a huge number of additions and deletions over the past two decades and an increase in the possibility of duplication.

This decision has led to a major controversy in Bihar, and opposition parties like Congress and RJD have criticised the move.