The Supreme Court has given a big and important decision regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) campaign going on in Bihar, which can provide relief to crores of voters.
This matter was in a lot of discussion after the Election Commission (ECI) recently removed the names of 65 lakh people from the draft voter list. Now the Supreme Court has not only questioned the validity of this decision, but has also issued new instructions to make the process more accessible and transparent.
What is the whole matter?
Before the 2025 assembly elections in Bihar, the ECI started a Special Intensive Revision of the voter list in the state. Under this, on August 18, the names of 65 lakh people were removed, whom the Commission described as voters with doubtful or incomplete documents. The issue became a matter of concern because the Aadhar card was not included in the 11 documents required to re-add the names of these voters. Opposition parties and civil organizations called it “undemocratic and discriminatory”, after which the matter reached the Supreme Court.
What was the decision of the Supreme Court?
While hearing the case on Friday, the Supreme Court gave several important orders to the Election Commission:
- -Aadhar card should be recognized as a verification document.
- -If voters want, they can submit their claim online or by visiting the office.
- -The Election Commission will have to give clear instructions to its Booth Level Agents (BLA) to help the deleted voters fill the form and explain the process.
- The entire process should be made easy and friendly for the voter.
- -The court also raised the question as to why political parties are inactive on this sensitive issue.
ECI’s position and figures
ECI told the court:
- -85,000 new voters have emerged during this campaign.
- -So far only two objections have been filed by political parties.
- -The commission also said that the process is going on with 11 accepted documents, but after the court’s order, Aadhaar cards will also be accepted now.
What will change now?
The 65 lakh people whose names have been removed can now add their names back through Aadhaar card. Any ambiguity or fear regarding the voter list can now be reduced, as the process will now be more accessible and digital friendly. The responsibility of booth level agents will increase – now they will have to play an active role.
