The Supreme Court asks the ECI to “sympathetically” consider extending voter roll revisions in Kerala and UP. With millions at risk of being left off the rolls, will the December 31 deadline ensure every eligible voter is counted?
Consider demands for SIR extension sympathetically asks Supreme Court
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to “sympathetically” consider requests for extending the special intensive revision (SIR) period in states where the process is underway, with a decision expected by December 31. The order came while hearing petitions challenging the SIR process in Kerala and Uttar Pradesh.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said petitioners could submit representations, and the ECI must weigh all ground realities and relevant factors before taking an “appropriate decision” by the end of this month.
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Senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, representing the ECI, informed the court that the poll panel is actively monitoring the situation and has already extended timelines where necessary.
In Kerala, the enumeration period was extended until December 18, with the draft roll scheduled for December 23 and the final roll on February 21. In UP, enumeration will end by December 26, followed by draft roll publication on December 31.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the Kerala government, highlighted discrepancies in voter rolls, noting that approximately 2.5 million names had been deleted as voters were classified as dead, migrated, duplicate, or untraced.
Additionally, about 2.5 million voters remain “unmapped,” requiring tracing through parents, grandparents, or older rolls dating back to 2002. Sibal argued that without an extension, a large number of eligible voters could be excluded.
Congress MP Tanuj Punia from Barabanki and other petitioners requested more time for the SIR process in UP. Senior advocate Siddharth Dave noted that the assembly elections in the state are not due until 2027, questioning the urgency of the revised schedule. Another petitioner, represented by senior advocate Salman Khurshid, cited that the ECI had not responded to a detailed representation submitted on December 9.
SIR period extended in 6 states including UP; find out when you can add your name to the voter list
The Supreme Court asked the ECI to consider all pending representations by December 31 and respond to legal queries raised in petitions challenging SIR in Bihar, West Bengal, Kerala, UP, and Puducherry. Dwivedi requested additional time to address the UP and Kerala petitions. The matter has been posted for January 6, when the ECI is expected to begin its arguments defending the SIR process.
The SC’s directive underscores the importance of ensuring accuracy and inclusivity in voter rolls ahead of future elections, balancing procedural efficiency with citizens’ rights to be registered.
