The Supreme Court is slated to hear, on Monday, a batch of petitions challenging the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar.
As per the causelist published on the website of the apex court, a bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi will resume hearing the matter on July 28.
‘It’s not final list, why such fuss?’ EC clarifies: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Sunday countered allegations and concerns raised by opposition parties over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Bihar’s electoral roll, asserting that “some people” were spreading misinformation by presenting the draft roll as the final voters’ list.
In a strongly worded statement, the poll body clarified that the list published so far is only a draft and not the final electoral roll. It said a month-long window from August 1 to September 1 will be provided for submitting claims and objections, including additions of eligible voters and removals of ineligible names.
“When it was clearly stated that the first list is a draft, why are some people creating a fuss and misleading the public into believing it’s final?” the ECI asked, noting that all political parties are free to verify the progress through their 1.6 lakh Booth Level Agents (BLAs).
Election Commission of India reiterated that the purpose of the SIR is to enhance transparency and accuracy in the electoral roll, ahead of the Bihar assembly elections due later this year.
According to data shared by the ECI, out of nearly 7.90 crore electors in Bihar, 7.24 crore or 91.69% have submitted their enumeration forms as part of Phase 1 of the SIR, which ended on July 25. However, around 65 lakh names are likely to be removed, primarily due to ineligibility.
Nationwide SIR: The Election Commission had also announced plans to carry out a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls across the country.
In an order dated June 24, EC stated it is undertaking the revision as part of its constitutional duty to safeguard the integrity of the voter lists.
“The Commission has now decided to begin the Special Intensive Revision in the entire country for the discharge of its constitutional mandate to protect the integrity of electoral rolls,” the order read.
“Maintaining the integrity of the electoral roll is fundamental for the conduct of free and fair elections; the electoral machinery, eligibility conditions, manner and procedure for preparation of electoral rolls are provided under the RPA 1950 and the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960 (“RER, 1960”), framed under the RPA 1950,” the order read.