The Supreme Court on Friday directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to accept the Aadhaar card as one of the 11 documents required for SIR in poll-bound Bihar. Which means, from now onwards, a Bihar voter can submit the Aadhar Card or any of the other required documents while applying for re-inclusion in the ongoing ‘Special Intensive Revision’ (SIR) of the electoral roll.

The Supreme Court stated this while hearing petitions challenging the June 24 directive of the Election Commission for a SIR of electoral rolls in Bihar.

This comes after the top court urged the Election Commission to consider documents such as Aadhaar card, ration card, and electoral photo identity card (EPIC card) as admissible documents for SIR on August 10. However, the ECI later submitted an affidavit, stating that neither an Aadhaar card nor a ration card can be submitted as proof of eligibility to vote.

SC raps political parties regarding inaction over deleted names

The apex court also pulled up political parties for not coming forward with the correction of the names of deleted voters in the SIR in poll-bound Bihar. A two-judge bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi directed 12 political parties to issue orders to party workers to help people in filing their complaints with any of the 11 documents listed by the Election Commission or their Aadhaar card.

“All 12 political parties in Bihar shall issue specific directions to party workers to assist people in filing and submission of requisite forms with any 11 documents in Form 6 or Aadhaar card,” Justice Surya Kant said.

In the June 24 directive for a SIR of electoral rolls in Bihar, the Election Commission encouraged political parties to participate actively in the revision process. 1.60 Lakh Booth Level Agents (BLAs) nominated by District Presidents of various political parties were involved in the field.

The apex court said, “We are only surprised by the inaction of political parties. After appointing BLAs (booth-level agents), what are they doing? Why is there a distance between people and local political persons? Political parties must assist voters.”

Opposition protests over SIR in poll-bound Bihar

Around 65 lakh voters have been dropped from the draft electoral rolls published by the ECI on August 1. The opposition has expressed concerns that under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar ahead of Assembly Elections, voters can be removed arbitrarily, without sufficient safeguards, which could disenfranchise thousands of voters, and question the idea of free and fair elections. Opposition parties have also alleged that several of those who are alive were declared dead in the draft rolls.

Opposition parties have alleged that the SIR is being used to target specific voter groups, particularly Muslims and marginalized communities, potentially impacting the upcoming state elections. Concerns have also been raised regarding the fairness and transparency of the SIR process. Critics cite instances of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) submitting forms without proper verification and the lack of accessible channels for redressal.

Congress welcomes Supreme Court’s directive

Welcoming the Supreme Court directive on the Bihar SIR issue, the Congress on Friday said democracy has survived a “brutal assault” from the Election Commission of India (ECI) and claimed that the poll body stands “totally exposed and discredited”.

“Democracy has survived a brutal assault from the Election Commission of India (ECI). Today, the Supreme Court has laid down guardrails to make the revision more inclusive by including political parties in the process. So far the ECI’s approach has been obstructionist and contrary to the interests of the voters. We welcome this judgment especially because it gives us an enforceable right which the ECI cannot ignore,” Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said.