New Delhi, July 10, 2025 – The Supreme Court today upheld the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) right to do a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in Bihar. However, it raised important questions about the timing, documentation policies, and legal basis of the SIR.
🏛️ The Court’s Decision
Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Joymalya Bagchi led the bench. They didn’t block the SIR but made it crystal clear: the EC’s job is to keep voter lists up-to-date, as per Articles 324 and 326, and the Representation of the People Act. Not exactly rocket science, right? Still, the court reminded them—don’t just stick to one ID for verification. They literally listed stuff like ration cards, Aadhaar, EPICs… the usual suspects. And if someone gets left out, EC better have a good reason—on record. No shady business.
⏱️ Timing Under Scrutiny
The Supreme Court voiced “serious doubts” regarding the SIR’s closeness to the November 2025 Bihar elections, cautioning that shortened timelines may deny legitimate voters the right to vote without sufficient remedy. The bench questioned why the exercise was started so late, pointing out that there hasn’t been a revision this comprehensive since 2003.
📝 Legal Clarity Required
Petitioners, including the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), and a number of Members of Parliament, contended that the “SIR” is not statutory in nature and does not resemble either standard summary or intensive revisions as defined by the law.
The Court asked the ECI to clarify which sections of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, it used as justification for starting the SIR and why it is unable to issue a standard summary or intensive revision.
🔍 Accountability Measures Imposed
Disclosure deadline: The ECI is required to submit its counter-affidavit by July 21 at the latest, explaining its chosen documentation protocols, procedural safeguards, and justification for the timing.
The next hearing is planned for: In order to review these filings and, if necessary, consider interim relief, the bench will meet again on July 28.
⚖️ Political Implications
Political discontent has followed the exercise. SIR could “snatch votes of lakhs” and disproportionately affect marginalised voters, say opposition parties. EC officials dismissed Rahul Gandhi’s Patna protest accusing the EC of undermining voter rights as premature and politically motivated.
Meanwhile, the ECI publicly reaffirmed its Article 326 mandate to ensure that all voters are 18 or older Indian citizens.
🧭 Looking Ahead
The Court’s attempt to find a balance between the need to safeguard citizens from disenfranchisement and the ECI’s obligation to maintain electoral integrity is reflected in today’s order. The bench aims to protect vulnerable voters while upholding the democratic process by advocating for greater ID acceptance, legal specificity, and a clear timeline.
As the November elections draw near, the ECI’s response to these directives and the SIR’s ability to move forward without threatening voter inclusion will be put to the test in the upcoming weeks.
