SIR breathes life into poll process: What SC said on electoral roll revision
The Supreme Court allowed the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls to proceed, affirming its authority while stressing that the exercise must adhere to statutory safeguards and meet the standards of free and fair elections and proportionality.
The Supreme Court, while giving a green light to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls carried out by the Election Commission of India, said that the exercise cannot be struck down merely on grounds of procedural variation from routine revisions, as it flows from statutory and constitutional powers vested in the poll body.
During the hearing, the court was addressing key questions raised by the petitioners: whether the ECI has the authority to conduct SIR, whether the exercise serves a legitimate purpose, and whether it violates the Representation of the People Act and the Electoral Rules, 1960. The bench also examined whether the Commission can determine citizenship status through this exercise.
Here are the top quotes from today's hearing:
"The commission can delete, but that doesn't mean he or she is no more the citizen of India. It doesn't have anything to do with the determination of citizenship," the Supreme Court said.
“Process cannot be struck down merely because procedure differs from routine electoral roll revision,” the Supreme Court noted.
Saying the Election Commission acted within its powers, the court held that SIR is founded on a legitimate and constitutionally grounded purpose and “breathes life into the democratic process of elections.”
The Court says enabling provision was added by Parliament; the exercise flows from the statutory framework.
The Supreme Court said that the exercise has a nexus with the objective of free and fair elections under Article 324.
SC says Election Commission acted within powers; exercise cannot be invalidated for differing modalities.
Court finds process proportionate, with safeguards and legitimate aim of ensuring accurate electoral rolls.“SIR does not supplant the Representation of the People Act,” Supreme Court observed during hearing.