On Monday, the Supreme Court delivered a crucial warning to the Election Commission of India (ECI), indicating that the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar might be entirely annulled if any irregularities are found in the methods employed. The SIR is vital for updating and verifying voter lists prior to the upcoming Bihar assembly elections and is under scrutiny due to complaints regarding the processes used. During the hearings, the Supreme Court bench emphasized that it cannot provide a fragmented or “piecemeal” ruling that pertains solely to Bihar. Instead, the Court indicated that its decision on the legality of the SIR will create a precedent applicable to similar exercises throughout the country.
Thus, the ruling will not only influence the outcome of Bihar’s voter revision initiative but could also affect analogous processes in other states facing elections. While the bench acknowledged that the Election Commission, as a constitutional body, is expected to adhere to all necessary regulations and legal standards during the revision, it noted that this assumption does not prevent the Court from intervening should evidence of illegality arise. The Supreme Court has scheduled **October 7** for final arguments, during which it will rigorously assess the legitimacy of the SIR process, the methodology implemented by the Election Commission, and claims of procedural breaches.
The results of this hearing are anticipated to have significant repercussions for voter list revisions nationwide, particularly in states approaching important elections.