In a significant development ahead of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, the Supreme Court on Thursday refused to stay the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state. While affirming the constitutional validity of the exercise, the apex court directed the poll panel to consider essential identity documents—such as Aadhaar cards, Ration cards, and Voter ID cards—during the voter verification process.
A bench comprising Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Joymalya Bagchi delivered the order while hearing multiple petitions challenging the SIR process. The court emphasized that the exercise is in line with the constitutional mandate of the Election Commission to maintain free and fair elections. However, it raised pointed concerns regarding the timing of the exercise, especially as the state heads towards polls later this year.
“We are not doubting your sincerity, but there are perceptions,” Justice Dhulia remarked during the hearing, highlighting growing unease over the voter verification process being carried out so close to the elections.
The bench made it clear that while the court would not interfere with the SIR itself, the Election Commission must ensure transparency and fairness by accepting commonly available identification documents. The direction to allow Aadhaar, ration cards, and voter ID cards was welcomed by many as a move that could prevent undue exclusion of eligible voters.
Senior advocates Rakesh Dwivedi, K K Venugopal, and Maninder Singh appeared on behalf of the Election Commission. They argued that the SIR was an administrative necessity and that Aadhaar is not being used as proof of citizenship, but merely for identity verification.
On the other hand, advocates like Gopal Sankaranarayanan, representing petitioners including TMC MP Mahua Moitra and NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule, expressed concern that the exercise could be misused to alter the electoral landscape in favor of the ruling BJP-JDU alliance.
Opposition parties such as the Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) have alleged that the sudden revision of electoral rolls is politically motivated. They fear the move could lead to the deletion of names from communities that traditionally vote against the ruling parties.
The bench acknowledged the political context but reiterated that maintaining an accurate voter list is the EC’s constitutional responsibility. "We cannot halt the process, but we can ensure it is done fairly," Justice Bagchi added.
With the Bihar Assembly elections expected to be held later this year—though official dates are yet to be announced—the political atmosphere in the state is heating up.
