The Election Commission of India’s ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar has come under legal scrutiny, with multiple petitions filed in court challenging the Commission's authority to conduct such a revision outside the standard procedure.
Senior advocate Talha Abdul Rahman revealed that seven separate petitions have been submitted, questioning the legality and timing of the Commission’s move. The petitioners argue that the Election Commission lacks the statutory powers to undertake a revision of this magnitude and intensity under current rules and procedures.
The controversy arises as the Election Commission speeds up the verification and updating of voter lists across Bihar, a process critics say is being carried out hastily and could lead to mass exclusions of legitimate voters.
“Concerns were raised during the court proceedings that individuals who had voted in earlier elections may still be flagged for review,” sources close to the matter explained. The petitions warn that if the process continues at its current pace, thousands of eligible voters — especially from marginalized communities — might be left out, with no time to appeal or correct errors.
The case has reignited debates over electoral transparency and fairness, especially with Assembly elections in Bihar expected in the coming months. Civil rights activists, minority groups, and opposition parties have accused the ruling BJP-JD(U) alliance of attempting "voter list cleansing" under the guise of electoral reforms.
While the Election Commission has defended its actions as necessary to purge fake entries and enhance electoral accuracy, petitioners claim the move lacks sufficient public outreach, proper legal basis, and safeguards against arbitrary exclusions.
The court has scheduled the next hearing for Thursday, July 10, when the Election Commission is expected to submit a formal response. Observers say the verdict could set a significant precedent on how far the Election Commission can go in revising voter rolls outside of standard election cycles.
