Supreme Court Upholds Election Commission's Deadline For Bihar's Electoral Rolls Amid Concerns

The Supreme Court has decided not to extend the Election Commission of India's (ECI) deadline of September 1 for filing claims and objections under the Special Summary Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. Political parties have been urged to actively participate in the process through their representatives.

During a recent hearing, the ECI clarified that claims and objections could still be submitted after September 1. Valid applications will be considered until the electoral rolls are finalised. The scrutiny of these claims will continue up to the last date for filing nominations, ensuring eligible names are added.

ECI's Stance on Deadline Extension

The ECI argued against extending the September 1 deadline, stating it would disrupt the SIR process and delay finalising electoral rolls before upcoming elections. The Commission emphasised that maintaining the timeline is crucial for smooth operations.

Justice Surya Kant addressed Aadhaar's role in identity verification, stating it can be used as one of several documents but only as proof of identity. He highlighted that Aadhaar cannot serve as proof of citizenship, adhering to Section 9 of the Aadhaar Act and previous court rulings.

Concerns Over Aadhaar Usage

Advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing petitioners, raised concerns about election officers rejecting claims supported by Aadhaar. The Court reiterated that Aadhaar must be accepted among 11 recognised documents for verification purposes.

The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and other petitioners requested an extension of the September 1 deadline due to large-scale exclusions. They noted a significant increase in claims from August 22 to 27, with numbers rising from 84,305 to 1,78,948. Petitioners also accused the ECI of lacking transparency by not uploading claim forms and prioritising deletions over additions.

Supreme Court's Observations

The Supreme Court acknowledged that extending the deadline could lead to an "endless process," potentially derailing the schedule set under rules. Political parties were permitted to respond to notes issued by the ECI regarding this matter.

The ECI informed the Court about Bihar's draft electoral rolls, revealing that out of 2.74 crore voters included, 99.5% had submitted eligibility documents. Notices are being issued within seven days for those with incomplete documentation.

Ensuring Inclusivity in Electoral Process

The Supreme Court recorded ECI's assurances and stressed that manual procedures for claims and objections represent an institutional commitment that must be upheld. Para-legal volunteers will assist political parties and voters in filing claims and objections to ensure inclusivity in Bihar's electoral revision process.