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Supreme Court Puts Bihar’s Electoral Roll Revision Under Pan-India Lens

  • By Thetripurapost Desk, Guwahati
  • Sep 15, 2025
  • 611

The Supreme Court on Monday issued a significant observation regarding the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll in Bihar, cautioning that if any unconstitutionality or illegality is established in the procedure adopted by the Election Commission of India (ECI), the entire process could be struck down.

A bench of Justices Suryakant and Jaymalya Bagchi said that the court would not deliver a “piecemeal” judgment on Bihar’s case alone. Instead, the ruling will have a nationwide impact, applying to all SIR exercises across India.

Trust in EC, But Warning Issued

The bench noted that since the Election Commission is a constitutional authority, it is presumed to be conducting the revision exercise in accordance with law. However, it warned that the judiciary would not hesitate to intervene if deviations are proven. The matter has been listed for final hearing on October 7.

Aadhaar Dispute Resurfaces

Earlier, on September 8, the court ruled that Aadhaar should be treated as the twelfth valid identity document for inclusion in the electoral rolls. Despite this, several election officers allegedly refused to accept Aadhaar cards during verification. The bench clarified that while Aadhaar does not establish citizenship, it remains a valid proof of identity and residence, dismissing objections raised by the ECI.

Opposition Challenges the Process

The case was originally filed by opposition parties, who alleged that the SIR process was being misused to arbitrarily delete genuine voters. They claimed the absence of Aadhaar recognition, despite its widespread usage, skewed the process in favor of voter exclusion.

Their claims gained weight when the ECI disclosed on August 18 that 6.5 million names had been deleted from the draft rolls prepared under the ongoing SIR exercise in Bihar.

What’s at Stake

The outcome of this case could redefine the way voter verification and roll revisions are conducted across the country, with potential implications for both inclusivity and electoral integrity ahead of upcoming elections.