Supreme Court Validates Election Commission's Authority for Special Roll Revision

The Supreme Court endorsed the Election Commission's authority on Wednesday to carry out a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, affirming its necessity for maintaining fair elections. "The process that may initially appear exclusionary can, through appropriate safeguards, be rendered constitutionally compliant," the bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant declared.

The court concluded that the Election Commission acted within its statutory powers under the constitutional framework and the Representation of the People Act. The court emphasized the vital role of accurate electoral rolls in free elections, highlighting that the SIR exercise satisfies proportionality standards.

Addressing challenges to the SIR in Bihar, the bench noted the Election Commission's established competence in matters of electoral roll adjustments. The poll body had notably identified 65 lakh voters missing from previous drafts, prompting concerns likening the revision to a citizenship verification process.

The controversy stemmed from claims that the revision resembled an NRC-like process, questioning Aadhaar and voter identities as sole citizenship proof. The Court's ruling ensures electoral credibility while stressing that name inclusion or exclusion remains within the Election Commission's purview.

(With inputs from agencies.)