Townhall Times | New Delhi | July 2025 Just months ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, the Supreme Court has raised several key questions about the Election Commission’s (ECI) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls. The Court also suggested that during the voter verification drive, documents like Aadhaar, Voter ID, and Ration Card should be accepted as valid proof of identity.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia and Justice Jyoti Singh remarked, “We have no reason to doubt the Election Commission’s intent, but the case certainly warrants a detailed hearing.” The Court has scheduled the next hearing for July 28 and, in the meantime, directed the EC not to publish the draft voter list.
EC’s arguments and the Court’s response
The Election Commission argued before the Court that Aadhaar would not be used as proof of citizenship during the verification process, as that would go against constitutional and legal provisions. The Court, however, clarified that determining citizenship falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Home Affairs, not the Election Commission.
The EC further assured the Court that it could review the revised voter list before it is finalized. The Court, in turn, questioned, “Under which legal provision is the Election Commission empowered to carry out this kind of ‘Special Intensive Revision’? Usually, the law only provides for either a summary revision or an intensive revision — what exactly is this new category?”
Petitioners’ arguments
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi told the Court that the process appeared more like a “citizenship verification exercise.” He argued that Aadhaar has become essential across the country and should reasonably be accepted by the EC as valid identity proof.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal also questioned the EC’s authority to determine someone’s citizenship status. He insisted that if the Commission removes a voter’s name, it must have concrete evidence to justify that decision.
Hearing to continue on July 28
The Supreme Court concluded, “The matter deserves to be heard further, and the EC should file an affidavit in response.” Importantly, the Court suggested that during verification, documents like Aadhaar, Voter ID, and Ration Card should all be accepted as supporting evidence.
This controversy could have a direct impact on the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections scheduled for November this year. Until the next hearing, the Court has instructed that the draft voter list should not be published and the EC must act strictly within the framework of the law.
(A special report by Townhall Times)
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