The Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of the Election Commission of India’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, affirming that integrity, accuracy, and purity of voter lists form the foundation of free and fair elections.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi delivered the judgment after reserving its decision earlier this year on petitions, including one filed by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR). The pleas questioned the Election Commission’s authority to conduct SIR on a nationwide scale.
The court ruled that the Commission holds the power to carry out special revisions to ensure electoral accuracy. The Chief Justice stated that individuals whose names were deleted erroneously could seek judicial review. He directed the Commission to refer such cases within four weeks to the competent authority under the Citizenship Act for adjudication.
The bench instructed the competent authority to decide citizenship claims before the next parliamentary, assembly, or local body elections, after giving notice and an opportunity of hearing to affected individuals.
