The Supreme Court of India has directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to accept Aadhaar as a valid document for voters seeking inclusion during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. The move aims to make the revision process more voter-friendly and ensure that eligible citizens are not left out of the electoral process.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi emphasized that applications for re-inclusion can be submitted either online or in person, accompanied by Aadhaar or any of the other 11 documents previously recognized by the ECI. The ruling reflects the court’s push for transparency and inclusivity in the electoral process.
The SIR exercise had previously removed around 65 lakh names from the draft electoral rolls, drawing criticism from citizens and political parties alike. The ECI has now published the list of deleted voters to enable public verification and allow claims for inclusion. Citizens can check booth-wise details, searchable by EPIC number, along with the reason for exclusion. Each district’s website is hosting this data, and a consolidated state-level list is available on the Bihar Chief Electoral Officer’s portal.
The Supreme Court expressed concern over political parties’ apparent inaction in assisting voters whose names were deleted. The court noted that Booth Level Agents (BLAs), who are associated with political parties and familiar with local communities, should actively help verify whether excluded voters are genuinely absent, deceased, or have shifted residence. Only a negligible number of objections had been filed by BLAs, despite the large-scale deletions.
The court also welcomed the ECI’s report that approximately 85,000 new voters have come forward to be added to the rolls during the SIR process. Notices displayed at polling booths in districts like Rohtas, Begusarai, and Arwal now inform citizens about the possibility of filing claims for inclusion, accompanied by a copy of their Aadhaar card. The apex court stressed that no eligible voter should be left without recourse.
The revision process, which began in the context of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, is being closely monitored by the Supreme Court to ensure fairness and transparency. Interim measures mandated by the court include the online publication of the names of excluded voters, reasons for exclusion, and accessible channels for submitting claims for correction.
The court’s directives are a significant step in addressing concerns about voter disenfranchisement and procedural lapses in electoral roll revisions. Observers note that the inclusion of Aadhaar, combined with proactive engagement from political parties and BLAs, is likely to improve public confidence in the electoral process.
As the SIR continues, authorities have been urged to maintain clear communication with voters, display updated lists at booths, and ensure the availability of online tools to facilitate claims. The Supreme Court’s interventions underscore its commitment to protecting the democratic rights of citizens and ensuring that every eligible voter has the opportunity to participate in the elections.
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